Creating Family Rituals of Connection in the Age of Screens

"Australia's social media age restrictions, which came into effect on December 10, 2025, prohibit young people under the age of 16 from creating or holding accounts on major social media platforms (Australia eSafety Commissioner, 2025). Many American teens and young adults I speak with applaud this reform. They understand the pressure and harm of early and excessive exposure to social media. This legislation reflects the growing awareness that social media can include addictive designs, cyberbullying or abuse, and exposure to illegal and explicit content."

"The data documenting how much time young people now spend on screens reinforces these concerns. American adolescents spend approximately 7 hours and 22 minutes per day engaged with screens, including non-school Internet use, video streaming, gaming, and social media (Exploding Topics, 2025). Experts point out that this is equivalent to a full-time job. As parents become more aware of these statistics, many ask how they can better manage their children's online activity."

"We are experiencing a crisis of connection, despite the false promise of health, happiness, and "likes" from instantaneous feeds and followers. Rising rates of loneliness, anxiety, addictions, and other mental health struggles reflect this longing for connection. One potential solution is to incorporate intentional, screen-free, bonding activities into daily life, similar to those your family enjoys during winter holiday breaks. During the holidays, many families slow down, gather, talk, laugh, play, cook, rest, and ultimately reconnect."

Australia implemented social media age restrictions on December 10, 2025, banning people under 16 from creating or holding accounts on major platforms. Many young Americans support the reform because of addictive designs, cyberbullying, and exposure to illegal or explicit content. U.S. adolescents now spend about 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens, equivalent to a full-time job. Rising loneliness, anxiety, and addictions reflect a crisis of connection despite promises of health, happiness, and "likes." Intentional, screen-free bonding rituals modeled on holiday routines can help families reconnect and support children's emotional well-being.

Read at Psychology Today