Verizon sells you unlimited data, but now it wants you to use less of it

Earlier this month, Verizon kicked off a digital wellness campaign aimed at getting people to spend less time on their phones. Even the carrier's CEO admitted he's been urging his teen sons to cut back on screen time. Now, Verizon is offering more tips to help parents encourage their kids to unplug.

Verizon recently hosted its first-ever Digital Wellness Summit, bringing in experts to discuss how parents can help kids develop healthier digital habits. The event featured insights from Drew Barrymore and Verizon Consumer Group CEO Sowmyanarayan Sampath, who shared five simple tips for improving tech habits at home.

The first tip is a familiar one – lead by example. Kids often mirror their parents' behavior, so if you want them to spend less time on their phones, it starts with you putting yours down, too.

The next tip is all about online safety – knowing where your kids are in the digital world. Just because they are home doesn't mean they are completely safe. Online spaces come with risks, just like real-world playgrounds, so parents should stay just as involved in their kids' digital lives.

That means keeping an eye on the apps they use, who they are interacting with and the kind of content they are exposed to. Now, I know it is impossible to monitor everything, so it is good that tech companies have been stepping up their safety efforts lately. Meta introduced teen safety features on Instagram last year, Uber updated its safety policies and TikTok made changes as well.

Another key tip from Verizon: help your kids set boundaries with social media. It is a huge part of how they connect and express themselves, but these platforms are designed to keep them hooked, which is why Australia actually banned social media for kids under 16 last year.

So, with stats showing teens are spending an average of five hours a day on social media, Sampath suggests approaching screen time as a balance rather than a battle. Instead of strict restrictions, guide them in setting limits that fit their lifestyle so they can make more mindful choices about their time online.

And beyond just setting limits, encourage real-world engagement. Many kids turn to social media for validation – chasing likes, comments and shares. However, parents can help shift the focus by offering praise and encouragement offline.

Finally, Verizon reminds parents not to worry if these changes don't click right away. Digital wellness is a work in progress. Setting boundaries and time limits isn't about taking things away but about finding a healthier balance. Habits can always be adjusted along the way, so it is all about progress, not perfection.