Why it’s okay for children to get bored during the summer holidays

During the school year, the regular rhythm of school days and weekends helps keep children’s biological clocks on track. During the summer holidays, however, it is not uncommon for wake-up times to drift to midday. Changes in sleep patterns are just one aspect of digital wellbeing. The seemingly endless freedom of the summer break also tends to strengthen children’s desire for independence – including in the online world. It is therefore important for parents to understand, and help their children understand the potential risks that come with greater online independence. Open conversations and quality time spent together can help establish shared boundaries and encourage responsible digital habits.

1 Chatting until dawn, dark circles

By the time school starts in September, many children may feel as though they’ve travelled across time zones. “It helps to agree on a regular wake-up time for the summer holidays and set an alarm clock accordingly. That way, the transition back to school is much less of a shock,” says Balázs Koren. He also recommends avoiding sleeping in beyond 9 a.m., even during the summer break. While parents’ daily routines tend to change little during the summer holidays, children suddenly find themselves with utmost freedom. Maintaining a basic daily routine – such as regular mealtimes and planned afternoon activities – can help provide stability. “Even simple apps like a calendar or an alarm clock can be useful tools for maintaining a regular routine,” says Balázs Koren. Pomodoro-style timer apps can also help by allocating set time intervals to different activities, followed by reminders to take short breaks. This approach is particularly useful for maintaining a healthy balance and ensuring there’s enough time for everything.

2 Boredom = a chance to be creative

While students are often required to put away their digital devices at school, parents may understandably feel that their child has spent most of the day on their phone once they are at home. It is important for parents to lead by example and encourage phone-free periods. The bigger concern is that, for children, screen time can also take over the moments that could otherwise be spent experiencing the positive side of boredom – allowing time for imagination, creativity and independent thinking. It is a major problem that children no longer know how to be bored. Boredom creates an opportunity for spontaneity and for coming up with their own activities and ideas,” says Balázs Koren. He believes that time should also be set aside for productive boredom. One effective approach can be to take a digital break, switching off devices for a few hours at a time.

3 Conversation is key to safety

In summer, it is not unusual for children to stay out until late in the evening, hang around with friends – or, on the contrary, spend long hours alone in front of a screen. Location sharing can help parents keep track of where they are, but it is important that children also associate this with their own sense of safety and security. Building mutual trust and a shared sense of safety is essential – and the same applies to the online world. By explaining during everyday conversations that parental control features allow us to be aware of their online activities, children may find it easier to open up if they encounter an uncomfortable or upsetting situation. The ProSuli website offers a range of useful articles on safe internet use, while a fun, interactive quiz can help test and improve one’s basic digital knowledge.

4 “Will there be Wi-Fi?” – holiday with friends

It is not uncommon for children to connect to Wi-Fi networks that appear legitimate but are actually designed to collect personal data. Whenever possible, it is best to avoid these and use mobile data or a trusted, secure network instead. Friends can also provide an important safety net: it’s always a good idea to share your locations with one another, so that if you become separated, you can find each other more easily. When paying by card, it is worth choosing a digital card whenever possible and always checking the amount charged. If you are still in the planning stage of your trip, make sure to book accommodation and flights on trusted websites to avoid falling victim to scams. “These are useful tips for children too, as from the age of 16 they can already make payments using their phones or smartwatches, which may expose them more easily to data theft or fraud,” says Balázs Koren. He adds that as parents, we should also keep an open mind: older children may well be the ones teaching us about these practices, and there’s plenty we can gain from learning from each other. 

5 #holiday #summertime #GDPR

Sharing summer experiences is an integral part of teenage life, with photos and videos regularly posted on social media, so trying to ban it altogether is neither realistic nor practical. Instead, the expert recommends removing metadata – such as the location and time the photo was taken – before uploading any content. One simple way to do this is to share a screenshot of the photo rather than the photo itself. Even more importantly, personal data and privacy rules (GDPR) should always be respected. Avoid taking or posting photos of people you do not know, and always make sure your friends have given their consent before sharing images of them. Likewise, if you notice that someone has taken a photo or video of you without your permission, it’s best to ask them straight away to delete it.

And finally, don’t forget that summer is, above all, a time to relax and unwind. These five tips can help ensure that the school holidays are enjoyable, safe and truly restorative for everyone.