Hey there, young adventurers!
Do you ever find yourself sitting in front of the TV or scrolling through your tablet, watching shows or videos that don't make you feel good or inspired? Maybe you're watching something not aligned with what you want to achieve in life. This is where mindful watching becomes important!
It's important to remember that what you put into your mind is just as important as what you put into your body. Just like how you need healthy food to fuel your body, you need healthy thoughts and ideas to fuel your mind!
Mindful watching does not have to mean avoiding screens altogether. It can mean learning to notice what you are watching, why you chose it, how it makes you feel, and whether it is leaving enough room for other important parts of your day. The American Academy of Pediatrics' 5 C's of Media Use encourages families to think about the child, the content, how media is used to calm, what it may be crowding out, and communication about media.
Sometimes, your parents or guardians might have input on what you watch, and that's okay! They want to help you make good choices. But, you also have the power to make choices for yourself. You can be strong and discerning, and choose to watch things that align with your values and goals.
Learning to make thoughtful choices is a skill that grows with practice. Empowering Yourself: A Guide to Agency for Teens and Tweens explores how young people can take greater ownership of everyday decisions while still learning from the adults who support them.
Here are some questions to ask yourself for Mindful Watching:
- Is what I'm watching making me feel happy and inspired, or is it making me feel sad or bored?
- Is what I'm watching teaching me something new and valuable, or is it just wasting my time?
- Is what I'm watching aligning with what I want to achieve in life, or is it distracting me from my goals?
You can also ask yourself one more question: What is this screen time replacing right now? Sometimes watching a favorite show is exactly how you want to spend your free time. At other times, it may be taking the place of homework, sleep, exercise, reading, hobbies, family time, or something else you decided was important.
If you find that what you're watching isn't aligning with your values and goals, it's okay to change the channel or turn it off! You have the power to choose what you watch and choose things that will help you grow and learn. To make this even easier, consider using a time blocker to schedule dedicated periods for watching content that aligns with your goals and values, ensuring you stay on the right path.
A schedule does not have to remove all spontaneous fun. It can simply help make sure entertainment has a place alongside responsibilities, sleep, hobbies, friends, and family. For more ideas about deciding where your time goes, see Supercharge Your Time Management Skills: Tips for Kids and Teens.
Remember, mindful watching means you control what you put into your mind. Choose wisely, and choose things that will help you become the best version of yourself!
Try a Simple Mindful Watching Check
Before pressing play, take a few seconds and ask:
- Why am I watching this? To relax, learn, laugh, connect with someone, or simply because it appeared on my screen?
- How much time do I want to spend?
- Is there something important I need to finish first?
- How do I usually feel after watching this kind of content?
- Can I stop when I planned to stop?
The goal is not to make every minute educational or productive. It is to become more aware of your choices so that you—not autoplay, notifications, or endless scrolling—decide how your time is spent.
Talk About What You Watch
Parents and guardians can be helpful partners in mindful watching. Instead of only talking about how long you were on a screen, you can talk together about what you watched, what you liked or disliked, whether something online seemed realistic, and how it made you feel.
Those conversations can also help you learn to recognize advertising, influencer marketing, unrealistic messages, and content that may not be appropriate for your age.
More Tools for Intentional Time Use
If planners, routine charts, goal worksheets, and other visual tools help you make more intentional choices with your time, explore the Efficiency Plan Etsy Shop.
Keep shining, young adventurers!
Best Wishes,
Quick Questions About Mindful Watching
What does mindful watching mean for kids and teens?
Mindful watching means paying attention to what you choose to watch, why you are watching it, how it makes you feel, and whether it fits comfortably alongside sleep, school, family, friendships, hobbies, exercise, and other activities that matter to you.
Does mindful watching mean all screen time has to be educational?
No. Entertainment, humor, stories, games, and relaxing videos can all have a place in your day. The goal is to make intentional choices rather than feeling as though a device, autoplay, or endless scrolling is deciding how you spend your time.
How can parents help children develop healthier media habits?
Parents and children can talk about what is being watched, establish reasonable screen-free times or places, choose age-appropriate content, notice what media use may be replacing, and create family expectations together. Adults can also model the digital habits they want children to develop.
