Screen time for teens

[Screenrules101]

After realising that there's been a clear link between my 13 year old son's recent screen time increase and his mood, I have decided it was time to limit screens again.
I had given him more freedom around screen time thinking that the limits before (2 hours a day) would help him make good decisions for himself after turning 13. But some weekends he's between 3-6 hours. I'm not including screen use for homework, so purely games, TV etc. He's also been increasly moody (yes I know hormones don't help with that), bickering, picking minor arguments, straight away asking when he can go back on the devices and just sitting around until the screen free time passes. We do help entertain them in this time but really some boredom is good for kids. He has plenty of board games, books, toys, park nearby. He attends 3 clubs in the week and not interested in a weekend one nor can the other be moved to a weekend.

How long is your teen allowed screens (particularly weekends)?
What do they do when screens are off?

You have a vote for AIBU but what is the question for this?

Tech addiction is a real problem these days, especially since the pandemic.

We do not allow any technology upstairs apart from music. Phone stays downstairs and the computer is in a communal area. There should be nothing you are trying to hide at this age.

It did get quite bad when I let my ds have free reign of the computer or gaming. Mood dip and cheekiness comes in. This completely dissappears with less use. In dact I have zero attitude problems when tech use is in check. Self regulation at this age seems to be too difficult to master. Perhaps it's just boys. Either way, we had to implement boundaries. If the rules of boundaries are broken, he loses a day. Weekday rule is 1 hour of freedom to do as he wishes (non-homework). Homework must be done first, no exceptions. At weekends around chores and doing things with the family - he has one free day. The rule for this day is one hour of physical activity of his choice.

They are simple rules but they work. I have already reminded him when he's 18, he can do as he wishes, which is next year.

It depends on your child, what works for one family won’t work for another. I don’t have limits on screen time, my DS is pretty sensible. Some Saturdays he’ll spend hours watching tv or gaming, then others he’ll go for a run, go to the gym, meet with his mates or go for a walk. What other interests does your DS have? What do you want him to do instead?