Don't panic - five ways to stop your kids' endless scrolling

Image source, Getty Images By Emer Moreau Business reporter Published 26 March 2026 Updated 8 minutes ago If you're a parent, you may have breathed a sigh of relief - or perhaps frustration - at the UK government's plans to implement an overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds. It would see apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube made unavailable by default to the teenagers - though they will be able to opt out of the curfew if they want. Features the government considers addictive such as auto-play videos and infinite scrolling will also be disabled under the plans, aimed at improving teenagers' focus, sleep quality and family life. We asked some parenting experts for their tips on how to pry those phones away from their offspring's hands – even if only for a short while. 1. Start small and be realistic Many parents who have already given their children tablets or smartphones might wonder if the best thing is to just get rid of them. But that might not be the most productive option, believes child psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour. "Changing a habit is always going to be hard," she says. Instead, she recommends implementing changes at a neutral moment, not in the heat of an argument about screen time. "Calm brains communicate best." A good first step to reducing screen time could be designating a set place in the home for devices, such as a particular cupboard. "Have one place for chargers... so when the phones go away, they go on the charger and that's it." 2. Be collaborative Older children and teenagers can benefit from being part of the conversation around screen time, rather than having rules imposed on them, says child psychologist Dr Maryhan Baker. Acknowledging the peer pressure surrounding social media can help get teens onside, she says, such as telling them: "I understand that that's where you connect with your friends. I understand the social pressure if you're deemed not to be on this. I really get it. "So let's have a conversation about how we can begin to create space within our day, and your day where you're not on that phone all of the time." Parenting coach Olivia Edwards adds that building a strong connection with your child or teenager will make it easier to regulate screen use. "We have to have a strong relationship with our child because that is what's going to get us towards co-operation [and] teamwork." This could include taking a genuine interest in the content your child consumes online. 3. Turn screen time into learning opportunities Many parents feel they're struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing fads and trends on social media. But there is an opportunity for both adults and children to learn from each other through frank discussions about screen time. Olivia says: "You might say something like: 'How do you think social media works? How do you think that app works to keep people looking at it? Did you know they make money off the more time people spend on it?'" Jane also says parents can teach t