Kids are drawn to screens—whether TV, tablet, phone, or computer—like moths to a flame. And it would be tough to find a parent who hasn’t handed over a screen of some sort to keep their child occupied. Like most things in life, a little is fine; but if your child is spending a chunk of time each day glued to a screen, you need to make some changes.

Children’s brains are built to learn. And that learning goes beyond academics; it includes how to interact with other people, how to control impulses and emotions, and even skills of physical coordination like running and balancing. If your child is spending time every day with screens, instead of reading books or playing, then that learning is not going to be as robust or diverse as it should be to help your child grow and develop. Think of time spent in front of screens as practice or learning time; that means lots of screen time teaches kids how to be good at interacting with screens, when they should be learning and practicing lots of other skills, too.

Screen time can change your child’s brain. We know now that when children spend excessive amounts of time with screens, it affects their how they process information. Kids who are plugged in regularly struggle with controlling their impulses, have trouble making decisions, have a tougher time paying attention than their peers, and often don’t sleep well. Lack of deep sleep creates a whole list of other problems for kids; none of them are good for them or their development.

If you already have a screen addict on your hands—which is probably true for most of us—here’s what you can do to get a handle on the situation and help your child make good use of his time.

Use screen time wisely. All apps are not created equal. Help your child choose apps that will give them good educational experiences. Check out some of the recommendations at Common Sense Media to help you find great learning apps for kids. And don’t miss out on Hooked on Phonics for some great resources that will engage your kids in reading and learning. Spending screen time on educational activities helps your child learn while they enjoy their tech time.