6 smartphone resolution ideas for your kids in the New Year

Updated – Originally published January 29, 2021

The age at which kids acquire a smartphone of their own seems to be getting lower every year. In the United States, 57 percent of 11- and 12-year-olds own a smartphone. Let’s face it: there’s a good chance your kid already falls into this category, or that they will someday. There are benefits to kids having smartphones, but there are also some big downsides. The new year is always a great time to start new good habits, so why not set new year’s resolutions with kids for their smartphone?

New years resolutions for kids and their smartphone

Establish no-phone zones

Establishing no-phone zones helps children learn that phones don’t belong everywhere—and that’s a healthy skill to build early.

Common no-phone zones many families choose include:

• The dinner table
  
• Bedrooms at bedtime
  
• School hours
  
• Religious or community gatherings

Clear boundaries make expectations easier to follow. Over time, children learn when it is appropriate to use their phone—and when it’s better to be fully present.

Limit screen time

Establishing device-free zones is a great start—but screen time limits matter too. Without boundaries, it’s easy for a phone to become the default entertainment, and then everything else starts to feel “boring” by comparison. Not that boredom is bad. It can create space for kids to try something healthier and more grounding than endless scrolling. If you’re looking for some ideas for kids, they might learn a new vocabulary word, write in a journal, practice an act of kindness, or get some physical activity, like riding a bike or playing a sport.

Set simple ground rules for your home and stick to them. (Tip: It’s usually easier to enforce screen time when expectations are clear before your child asks.)

Plan for those non-tech-related activities

In the moment, it’s easy to fall back on screens—especially when everyone’s tired or bored. Planning device-free activities ahead of time makes it easier to say “not right now” without turning it into a power struggle.

Kids love having something to look forward to, and scheduled family activities give structure to screen limits. Even simple plans can help break tech-heavy routines and create positive habits.

A few ideas to build into your family calendar:

• An arts-and-crafts night
  
• Extracurricular activities or clubs
  
• A family movie or game night (with snacks, of course)
  
• A trip to the park or a short outdoor adventure

Phones don’t need to disappear for kids to be kids—but clear boundaries give them more time to explore, play, and connect beyond the screen. 

Download educational apps 

Not all time spent on a phone is a bad thing. When children use their devices to learn, practice skills, or explore interests, it can be a positive part of their routine.

The key is intentional use. Choose educational apps together, talk about what they’re for, and check in regularly to make sure they’re still serving a purpose. This helps children see their phone as a tool—not just something to scroll when they’re bored.

Encouraging learning-focused apps can also reinforce curiosity outside of school and help children build healthy digital habits that grow with them.

Spend more time talking to relatives

One of the best uses of a child’s phone is staying connected to people who matter. Grandparents, cousins, and long-distance friends often love hearing from kids—and those conversations help build confidence and communication skills.

Try setting aside a regular time for your child to call or video chat with relatives or friends who live far away. Making it part of the routine keeps relationships strong and helps children see their phone as a way to connect, not just consume.

Print and frame the photos your child takes

One feature many children love about their first phone is the camera. Taking photos can be a creative, hands-on way to use technology—especially when it connects back to the real world.

Consider printing out some of the photos your child takes and displaying them at home. You could frame a favorite picture, start a small scrapbook, or use a bulletin board to show off their work. These simple projects help children see their phone as a creative tool, not just a source of passive entertainment.

Encouraging activities like photography gives kids a healthier way to engage with technology while still staying present in their offline world.

Focus on progress, not perfection

Smartphone resolutions don’t need to be complicated to make a difference. A few clear boundaries, regular conversations, and shared expectations can create a great opportunity for children to build healthier habits with technology—without constant conflict at home.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. By setting thoughtful limits and modeling balanced tech use yourself, you’re helping your child develop skills they’ll carry with them as technology becomes a bigger part of their world.

Every family’s approach looks a little different. What smartphone boundaries or resolutions are you trying this year? We’d love to hear in the comments.