In a relaxed moment, talk about one of your favorite non-digital activities and how much it affects your mood, energy, and focus. Then ask David to reflect on how he feels during and after his own favorites — like cooking or playing basketball.

Keep it casual and conversational, not preachy. Lead with your own experience first before inviting his reflection.

A day or two after your first conversation, ask David if he'd be open to discussing how you might work together to reduce his time on YouTube — so he can spend a bit more time doing other things he enjoys.

Frame it as a question, not a decision already made. "Would you be open to talking about this?" goes much further than "we're going to change things."

If David is open to it, review how much time he's spending on YouTube together using Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link. Look at the data together without judgment.

Seeing the numbers together shifts the conversation from accusation to shared awareness. David is more likely to want change when he's part of discovering it.

Together, agree on a YouTube time budget to work toward — aiming for 90 minutes per day in the future. Write it down somewhere visible so it feels official and mutual.

When David helps set the goal, he's more invested in it. Co-created limits feel fair; imposed limits feel punitive.

Pick one cooking activity to do with David this week — a new recipe, a dish he's been curious about, or a family favorite he wants to learn. Let him lead as much as possible.

Starting with an activity David already loves reinforces that this plan is about adding good things, not just taking away screen time.

Spend 5 minutes sharing how this week went — what felt natural, what felt awkward, and how David responded. Your feedback is used to tune the plan for the weeks ahead.

Every check-in makes the plan smarter and more tailored to David. The more honest you are, the better the guidance gets.

Tell David you're going to set app limits for YouTube using Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link. Remind him of the 90-minute goal you agreed on last week.

Turn off autoplay and disable YouTube push notifications on David's devices. If he turns them back on, don't turn them back off — that's a useful signal about his state of mind worth noting.

Set up a simple reward system — like David choosing what's for dinner — when he stays under the agreed YouTube limit. Keep rewards low-key and tied to things he already enjoys.

Positive reinforcement works better than consequences at this stage. The goal is to make staying under the limit feel like a win, not a chore.

Lock in at least one outdoor activity this week — a basketball session, a meetup with friends, or any physical activity David enjoys. Put it on the calendar so it actually happens.

Structured physical activity competes directly with YouTube time and gives David something to look forward to. The more his week is filled with things he enjoys, the less YouTube pulls.

Take 5 minutes to share how this week went — what changes stuck, what David pushed back on, and how the limits are landing. Your honest feedback helps tune the plan for next week.

Week 2 is often where reality sets in. Sharing what's working and what isn't ensures the plan evolves with your situation, not against it.

Sit down with David and ask him to name 3 cooking skills or recipes he's always wanted to learn. Write them down together — this becomes a personal cooking bucket list he's excited about.

Giving David ownership over his own goals makes him the driver, not a passenger. When he chose the destination, he's far more motivated to get there.

Together, create a visible menu of screen-free activities David can pick from when he's bored or tempted — cooking, basketball, hanging with friends, creative projects, etc. Post it somewhere he'll see it.

Let David add to the list himself. The more it feels like his choices, the more likely he is to use it when YouTube is calling.

This week, try linking YouTube access to completing something active or creative first — a basketball session, a cooking task, or a creative project. Make the connection explicit but positive.

When screens come after activity rather than instead of it, David begins building the habit of earning screen time — a mindset shift that compounds over weeks.

Pick one recipe from David's list and make it together this week. Also book two outdoor activity sessions — basketball, a walk, a park visit — on specific days so they happen.

Don't over-schedule. Two outdoor sessions and one cooking activity is plenty — quality and follow-through matter more than quantity.

Take 5 minutes to share how the replacement routines are landing — which ones David engaged with, which felt forced, and what you noticed about his energy and mood.

Week 3 reveals which positive substitutes are genuinely working. Your observations here shape the social and creative activities coming in Week 4.

Have a casual conversation with David about how other kids his age also try to manage how much time they spend on screens. Frame it as something lots of people are figuring out — not just him.

When David knows he's not alone in this, the process feels less like a punishment and more like a shared challenge. Normalizing it reduces resistance and shame.

Help David invite a friend over for a cooking session or basketball game this week. Make it easy — you handle the logistics, David handles the invitation.

Social connection is one of the strongest competitors to screen time. When friends are involved in David's offline activities, those activities become something he looks forward to.

Introduce the idea of a small informal club — a 'Cooking Club' where David and a friend make a dish together, or a 'Highlight Creator Club' where they film short videos of their cooking or basketball. Keep it fun and low-key.

Let David name it and set the vibe. The goal is to give the activity a social identity that David feels pride in.

Make a short, fun cooking video with David — just the two of you, no pressure to make it perfect. Let him direct it. This bridges his love of YouTube content with his love of cooking.

When David becomes a creator rather than just a consumer, his relationship with screens starts to shift. This is a meaningful step toward intentional, active media use.

Spend 5 minutes sharing how the social activities landed this week. Did David engage? How did his friends respond? This week's check-in also includes KIDSCREEN measures.

The KIDSCREEN measures at Week 4 give us a meaningful look at David's wellbeing so far — and help ensure the plan is moving in the right direction.

Show David how to view his own screen time data using Google Family Link or another tool. Walk through the numbers together so he knows how to find it on his own.

Self-monitoring is a key skill in building autonomy. When David can see his own usage, he becomes accountable to himself — not just to rules you set.

Update David's daily YouTube limit to 2.5 hours. Give him the freedom to decide how he uses that time — which content, when in the day, and how he splits it up.

Reducing limits while increasing choice builds trust. David learns that managing screen time isn't about losing control — it's about using it more intentionally.

As a reward for his progress, let David plan something special for the weekend — a meal he gets to design and lead, or a family outing of his choosing. Hand him the reins completely.

Giving David genuine leadership over something meaningful reinforces his identity as someone capable and trusted — not just someone being managed.

Pick one day this week where David has full ownership of family meals — choosing what to eat, helping prepare, and presenting it. Stay close but let him lead.

Real responsibility builds real pride. A day where David feeds the family is a day that sticks in his memory and reinforces who he's becoming.

Share how the increased autonomy is going — is David rising to it? Where is he still struggling? Your check-in this week helps shape the final stretch of the plan.

The second half of the plan builds directly on what you learn at the midpoint. Honest feedback now leads to a stronger finish.

Have a relaxed conversation with David about when he finds himself reaching for YouTube most — after school, when bored, before bed? Together, list the top 2–3 trigger moments.

Understanding the "when" and "why" of temptation helps you and David create targeted strategies rather than blanket rules.

Set up a visible weekly calendar — either digital (like Google Calendar) or a physical whiteboard — mapping out David's cooking, basketball, and social activities alongside screen time slots.

When the week is planned ahead of time, David spends less energy resisting YouTube and more energy looking forward to things he loves.

Create a simple visual tracker — drawn or printed — that uses colors to show how much time David spends on screens vs. active, creative, and social activities each day.

Seeing balance visually makes it real and motivating. It shifts the conversation from "less screen time" to "more great stuff."

Layer in one additional activity that connects David with friends or sparks creativity — a friend hangout, a new recipe challenge, or a creative project. Keep it low-key and fun.

Variety prevents boredom from pulling David back to YouTube. More positive experiences in his week means fewer moments where screens feel like the only option.

Spend 5 minutes sharing how this week went. Note what worked, what was hard, and how David responded. Includes KIDSCREEN measures. Your feedback shapes the next stage of the plan.

Regular check-ins help the plan adapt to David's real progress — not just the ideal.

Lower the daily YouTube limit to 90 minutes using Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link. Encourage David to choose in advance when he'll use his screen time — morning, afternoon, or evening.

Advance scheduling builds self-regulation. When David decides when he'll watch rather than defaulting to it, he's practicing intentional media use.

Acknowledge how far David has come with something meaningful to him — a new kitchen tool, a favorite ingredient to cook with, or new basketball gear. Make it specific to his interests.

Celebrating milestones reinforces that the hard work is worth it. A personalized reward signals that you've been paying attention to who he is.

Plan a special family event built around David's strengths — an outdoor basketball game or a full cooking night where he's the lead chef. Make it celebratory and fun.

Moments like these become the memories that define David's relationship with activity and connection — far more powerful than anything on a screen.

Find moments this week to explicitly name what you see in David — "You've got real cooking instincts," or "You're the athlete in this family." Let him take on a real responsibility that matches that identity.

Identity is a powerful driver of behavior. When David sees himself as a chef or an athlete, screen time loses its grip because it competes with something he's proud of.

Take 5 minutes to share how the week went — what's clicking, what's still challenging, how David is feeling. This sets up a strong final week.

You're almost there. One last round of honest reflection helps ensure the final week leads to lasting change.

Find a quiet moment to talk with David about the past 8 weeks. What did he find most difficult? What surprised him? What is he most proud of? Listen more than you talk.

This reflection helps David build self-awareness and ownership over the journey. Kids who can articulate their own experience are better equipped to maintain the changes.

Together with David, create a recurring weekly schedule that locks in his favorite activities — cooking days, basketball sessions, friend hangouts — so screen time doesn't fill the gaps by default.

A structured but flexible routine removes the daily decision fatigue of "what should I do?" and makes healthy habits the path of least resistance.

Create or print a simple certificate or badge that celebrates David's journey. Make it specific to his achievements — whether that's cooking, athletics, or simply showing up for the whole process.

Ritual celebrations mark moments that matter. David is more likely to value this period of his life if it's honored in a meaningful way.

Help David put together a short journal entry or phone video documenting what he learned, what he accomplished, and what he wants to keep doing. This can be just for the two of you, or shared with family.

Documenting the journey creates a lasting artifact of growth. It also gives David something to look back on if he ever needs a reminder of what he's capable of.

Complete the final 5-minute check-in and work with your advisor to define a maintenance plan — how will you sustain progress, handle setbacks, and keep David engaged beyond the 8 weeks? Includes KIDSCREEN measures.

The plan doesn't end at Week 8. This final session sets up a long-term strategy that keeps the gains in place.

Have a casual conversation with David about how other kids his age also try to manage how much time they spend on screens. Frame it as something lots of people are figuring out — not just him.

When David knows he's not alone in this, the process feels less like a punishment and more like a shared challenge. Normalizing it reduces resistance and shame.

Help David invite a friend over for a cooking session or basketball game this week. Make it easy — you handle the logistics, David handles the invitation.

Social connection is one of the strongest competitors to screen time. When friends are involved in David's offline activities, those activities become something he looks forward to.

Introduce the idea of a small informal club — a 'Cooking Club' where David and a friend make a dish together, or a 'Highlight Creator Club' where they film short videos of their cooking or basketball. Keep it fun and low-key.

Let David name it and set the vibe. The goal is to give the activity a social identity that David feels pride in.

Make a short, fun cooking video with David — just the two of you, no pressure to make it perfect. Let him direct it. This bridges his love of YouTube content with his love of cooking.

When David becomes a creator rather than just a consumer, his relationship with screens starts to shift. This is a meaningful step toward intentional, active media use.

Spend 5 minutes sharing how the social activities landed this week. Did David engage? How did his friends respond? This week's check-in also includes KIDSCREEN measures.

The KIDSCREEN measures at Week 4 give us a meaningful look at David's wellbeing so far — and help ensure the plan is moving in the right direction.