How can parents avoid constant power struggles when teenagers refuse to hand over devices at night? 

Parenting Perspective 

Nightly battles over devices are a frequent source of family tension. Teenagers often argue they ‘need’ their phones to relax or socialise, while parents are understandably concerned about sleep deprivation, mental health, and online safety. When these disagreements become a recurring power struggle, they can erode trust and disrupt the peace of the home. The goal is to establish firm, healthy boundaries without turning bedtime into a nightly conflict. 

Set Expectations Early and Clearly 

Instead of initiating the discussion at bedtime when tensions are already high, agree on the rules during a calm moment. You could say: ‘To make sure everyone gets proper rest, we are going to keep all phones in the living room overnight. Let us agree on a time when they will be put away.’ Establishing clear agreements in advance minimises last-minute conflict. 

Offer a Sense of Control 

Teenagers are more likely to resist rules when they feel powerless. It is helpful to allow them some say within the established boundaries, such as choosing whether devices are put away at 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. This preserves the essential rule but gives them a sense of ownership over the decision. 

Replace Screens With Alternatives 

Encourage your teenager to build a rewarding routine for winding down that does not involve a screen. Activities like reading a book, journaling, listening to a calming podcast or Quran recitation, or having a warm drink can effectively replace the habit of late-night scrolling. This helps the rule feel less like a deprivation and more like an act of self-care. 

Stay Calm and Consistent 

If your teenager continues to push back, it is important to avoid shouting or physically wrestling over the device. Calmly enforce consequences that were agreed upon beforehand, such as reduced screen time the following day. With time and consistency, teenagers learn that cooperation builds trust, while resistance only leads to losing privileges. 

By combining empathy with firmness, parents can show that night-time rules are not a punishment, but rather an act of care for their child’s overall well-being. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us to value the night as a time designated for rest and remembrance, not for distraction. By protecting the night hours from constant digital stimulation, we safeguard both our physical health and our spiritual well-being. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqan (25), Verses 47: 

‘And it is He who has made the night for you as clothing, and sleep for rest, and made the day for resurrection…’ 

This verse beautifully illustrates that the night is a divine gift intended for calm and renewal, and is not meant to be lost to restlessness and digital noise. 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 1330, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound.’ 

This teaching is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our prayers, especially the Fajr prayer. How we spend our night directly impacts our ability to wake for worship, showing that late-night scrolling can weaken both our physical health and our spiritual duties. 

By connecting night-time rules to the wisdom behind Allah Almighty’s design for the night and day, parents can help teenagers reframe these boundaries not as mere restrictions, but as a means of cultivating personal strength, health, and spiritual blessing (barakah). Over time, this approach can transform power struggles into valuable lessons in self-discipline and faith.