On holiday the smartphone should provide navigation, take photos and keep people reachable. At the same time, a quick glance at messages often leads to another. A strict phone ban rarely solves this problem: it makes useful functions inaccessible and invites discussion. A better solution is a shared holiday mode, which defines when screens help and when they take a break.
Digital detox does not mean: the phone has to disappear
The goal is not a perfect zero. Families need devices for tickets, weather, translation, photos or contact with those who stayed at home. The important thing is to separate these purposes from endless scrolling, gaming and constant replies. Saferinternet.at recommends discussing family rules together and recording rules that partly also apply to adults.
Step 1: Clarify needs first, then rules
Before the trip, each family member names two things they really need the phone for and two situations in which they would welcome a break. From that a small agreement emerges:
| Need | Practical holiday rule |
|---|---|
| Navigation and tickets | One device remains responsible; the others don’t have to be online at the same time. |
| Photos | Taking photos is allowed; sorting and posting wait until the agreed time window. |
| Contact with friends | A reliable time window in the late afternoon or evening. |
| Games and videos | Pre-agreed duration, for example during a long train ride or a rest break. |
| Work | Only a clearly designated emergency window instead of constant availability. |
Step 2: Set two screen-free anchors
Don’t start with a whole offline day. Two reliable anchors are easier to keep: for example all meals and the last hour before bedtime. Devices are not left on the table but placed in a bag or at a fixed charging spot. If someone is expecting an important message, they say so in advance. That way an exception doesn’t turn into secret checking.
For excursions, an additional shared rule works well: the phone stays stowed while out and comes out only for navigation, a call or a photo. After that it goes back. That way every taking-out is not automatically a rule breach.
Step 3: Adults visibly participate
Children notice immediately when rules apply only to them. Adults should also switch off notifications, put the phone away during conversations and openly say why they need it. A short sentence like “I’m checking the return trip now and will put it away afterwards” is more credible than a device that seemingly stays in hand for no reason.
A holiday day without counting minutes
| Part of the day | Agreement |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Screen-free; weather and the day’s plan are checked together afterwards. |
| Travel or waiting time | Offline game, music or agreed media time depending on the duration. |
| Excursion | One navigation device; photos allowed, social media paused. |
| Quiet time | Free time window for messages, games or reading. |
| Dinner | All devices remain at the charging spot. |
| Before sleeping | No new videos or games; alarm is set beforehand. |
Prepare technology so offline time is comfortable
- Download maps, tickets, booking details and music in advance.
- Turn off unnecessary push notifications or use a focus mode.
- Designate a shared charging spot, preferably not right next to the beds.
- Write down accommodation, meeting point and important phone numbers on paper as well.
- Agree who stays reachable in an emergency and which contacts may bypass focus mode.
Technical time limits can help, but should not be set up secretly. Saferinternet.at especially warns that hidden control can lead to loss of trust with older children. The rule is the shared foundation; device settings are only an aid.
What suits which age?
The Austrian health portal names at most 30 minutes on single days for three- to six-year-old children, and 30 to 45 minutes on single days for six- to nine-year-olds as orientation. For older children and adolescents not only minutes should count: sleep, exercise, shared activities, friends and duties must not be permanently neglected.
Younger children need immediate alternatives like drawing supplies, audio plays or playing together. Older children should be involved in the rule and given reliable contact times. For all age groups: daily physical activity should have space. The health portal recommends at least 60 minutes of activity per day for children and adolescents aged six to 18.
If the rule tips: don’t renegotiate in the middle of a fight
If a time window is exceeded, first stop the concrete situation and talk about it later. Was the rule unclear? Was the trip longer than expected? Was an alternative missing? Change at most one point for the next day. Spontaneous total bans and changing consequences make rules unpredictable.
Parents may also admit a mistake. Someone who read messages at dinner can acknowledge it and put the device away. That strengthens the agreement more than a justification.
Offline ideas that need little preparation
A card game, a joint shop for dinner, a short bike ride or a photo task without immediate posting are often enough. Inspiration is offered by our free holiday ideas for families and the planning of a Cycling tour with children. For the pictures it’s worth scheduling a separate quiet time later: that way you can safely save holiday photos on the phone, without the saving interrupting the outing.
Frequently Asked Questions
May navigation be used during offline time?
Yes. Explicitly define navigation, tickets and emergency calls as tools. Afterwards the device is stowed again.
Should every child get the same media time?
Not necessarily. Age, maturity, trip duration and the agreed purpose may differ. Explain the differences in a way everyone can understand.
Is a completely screen-free day sensible?
It can work if everyone agrees and tickets, meeting points and emergency contacts are available offline. As a start, short, reliable offline blocks are usually more practical.
Further professional guidance is offered by the Austrian health portal on adolescent media use, the current physical activity recommendations for children and Saferinternet.at on jointly agreed family rules. The brochure “Dad, put the phone away!” is specifically aimed at parents of 10- to 14-year-olds.
As of: 26 July 2026. The feature image is an AI-generated illustrative image (gpt-image-2).
