As a parent, this increased screen time may raise concerns about your teen's digital well-being. Here are 5 strategies you can use over the break to help promote healthy technology habits and strengthen your teen's resilience online:

1. Set Reasonable Screen Time Limits

With no school or extracurriculars, it's understandable that your teen may spend more time online over the break. However, setting some boundaries around screen time can help ensure technology doesn't completely dominate their downtime. You could institute a daily cap on phone use, restrict social media to certain times of day, or have tech-free stretches like during family meals.

2. Schedule Offline Activities 

Baking holiday cookies, playing board games, or going on a hike are all great ways to engage your teen offline. Swap out tech time for creative projects, active outdoor adventures, or quality family bonding. Scheduling some daily non-screen activities makes it easier for your teen to achieve better balance.

3. Model Healthy Device Use Yourself

Teens are more likely to regulate their technology habits when parents demonstrate and enforce reasonable limits on their own phone use. Make a point of putting your phone away during quality time with your teen. Also consider a family challenge to spend a day device-free. Lead by example.

4. Discuss Online Negativity and Safety

Take time over the break to discuss with your teen how to handle online negativity or unsafe situations. Role play responding to cyberbullying, reporting inappropriate content, and protecting their privacy and reputation online. Discuss strategies to boost their resilience when facing digital dilemmas. 

5. Encourage Reflection on Social Media Impact

Social media often distorts how teens view themselves and their peers. Have thoughtful conversations about the highlights reel effect on social platforms. Ask them to reflect on when social media makes them feel good versus overwhelmed and insecure. Foster self-awareness around both the benefits and pitfalls of platforms.

By collaborating with your teen to set healthy boundaries, maximize offline time, strengthen critical thinking, and boost resilience, you can help make this winter break a positive one full of digital well-being. The teen years present unique challenges in our tech-driven world, but with your support, your teen can learn to balance the online and offline and become a responsible digital citizen.