Better Grades in 30 Days: How Cutting Screen Time Can Transform a Child’s Life
Posted by Erica Severson on January 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM
It can feel overwhelming when a child is slipping in school and teachers suggest quick solutions that do not quite sit right with you. Maybe it starts with a whisper about an attention problem or a note asking whether medication might help. As a parent, it is natural to question whether that step is necessary, especially if something in your gut says a big piece of the puzzle is being overlooked. When it comes to helping a kid learn, you know there are no easy fixes, but that does not mean there is no simple change worth trying first.
Consider the common devices scattered around many homes. There is the tablet on the kitchen counter, the phone on the arm of the couch, and the streaming apps that hold everyone’s attention for hours. If there is a nagging feeling that these screens might be playing a role in your child’s restlessness, that hunch might not be off base. It is possible that the endless scroll of games and apps has a way of sucking attention from important tasks and turning a once curious mind into something distant. When the teacher mentions slipping marks, think about whether those devices have been nudging your child off course.
Look closely at what happens when screens come off the table. Canadian-American venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya's family tested for ADHD after seeing one of their children struggle at school. The numbers on quizzes and tests hovered around 60 or 70 percent. The teacher expressed concern, hinting at a world of medicines and treatments. The family did not jump to pills right away. Instead, they decided to remove the iPad and cut off the stream of apps and video games. Instead of guessing what medication might do, they tested what a week or two without a screen would bring.
At first, it might feel like a gamble to rely on such a simple move, but it can deliver more than expected. Within about a month, that very child soared from those shaky scores up to marks closer to 90 percent. The difference felt huge. This was not just about grades rising; the kid’s attitude and overall presence shifted as well. Freed from the tight grip of digital play, the child became more alert, more talkative, and more tuned in to the world outside that tiny screen. That dull look in the eyes faded, replaced by sparks of curiosity.
The effect on schoolwork was only part of what changed. Without an iPad always calling the shots, the child spent more time actually looking at textbooks, asking questions about assignments, and focusing on what needed to be done. Without a constant mental tug-of-war against flashy animations and pop-up ads, thoughts could settle on tasks at hand. That sense of quiet concentration, which might have seemed like a distant dream before, started showing up more often. The kid who once lost track of deadlines now had a mind clear enough to engage properly with school.
This shift did not cost a fortune or require a specialist. It took a willingness to trust instincts and go against the grain of what feels normal today. There is a common push to let kids unwind with digital toys, and not all screens are bad. But when problems pop up, it helps to step back and wonder whether these devices have quietly reshaped daily life. If each evening ends with a child glued to a screen, it may be time to ask if the habit is overshadowing crucial parts of growth.
There is no shame in walking away from medication if it does not feel right at the moment. Some children truly benefit from medical help, but it is hard to be certain about what is needed if screens might be masking what is really going on. By cutting them out for a set period, it is easier to see who the child is without that steady digital drip. Maybe the restlessness was partly due to overstimulation. Maybe the dullness was not an internal problem, but a side effect of jumping from one app to another. Maybe focus returns when there is nothing buzzing in the background.
Changing these habits is not always smooth. Many kids resist giving up digital fun. It might lead to arguments or sulking at first. Still, it can pay off to stand firm, explaining that it is worth a shot. After all, if the test scores climb and the child starts thriving again, that friction will be a small price to pay. Seeing those results in black and white, with 90 percent where 60 once stood, is enough to remind everyone that no flashy app can match the feeling of achieving real understanding.
As the days pass, this approach can spread beyond schoolwork. Without screen time soaking up spare moments, children might rediscover the joy of flipping through a book or playing outside with friends. They might start asking about the world, whether it is something in nature or a topic they learned in class. The absence of constant digital entertainment leaves space for the child to fill with genuine curiosity. That curiosity is what helps people grow, no matter their age.
Focusing on one change does not pretend to solve every struggle a child may face. But it can give a clearer window into what is actually going on. If the improvement is dramatic, like moving from 60 to 90 percent, it is worth celebrating and taking note of what made it happen. If it does not help much, no harm done, and other options can still be on the table. But when a simple solution delivers strong results, it earns its place among the approaches that deserve a closer look.
No parent wants to see their child struggle. It is tough to watch a kid who once held lively conversations now drift off into a half-present state. Yet sometimes the fix starts by subtracting something rather than adding new layers. Removing screens can reveal what kind of focus and interest a child can bring when not bombarded with flashing lights. It clears the way for simple efforts to matter. By picking up a pencil, opening a book, and engaging with the real world, a child might show qualities that looked lost. These qualities never disappeared; they were just buried under the steady hum of digital noise.
Topics: Mind Reboot, Mind Reboot - Mental Health