Helping Teens Adjust When Summer Screen Time Ends with School

Extended summer phone use can lead to withdrawal effects like nervousness, irritability and difficulty concentrating once school resumes. Dr. Shimi Kang notes that breaks in routine amplify these issues, disrupting sleep and dinner habits. Tracy Vaillancourt suggests setting clear, enforceable limits—such as 30 minutes per day on platforms like TikTok and Instagram—and applying them consistently.

A high-school student from Mississauga tried a month-long social-media fast, found it unsustainable, and later adopted a structured schedule that worked better. Professionals also stress teaching teens healthy digital habits, encouraging apps that promote creativity, community and self-care, while upcoming legislation may further restrict under-16 access.