Balancing screen time for your child

On Reflection

After noticing the effects devices have on my children, I’ve reflected on the need to create a balance that nurtures healthier habits and decided I needed to do some research on what the optimum device time is for a child.  After extended device time my children seem to have an energy shift making them restless, unfocused, and prone to squabbling. Yet, when devices are limited, they rediscover activities like drawing, playing board games, or just chatting, becoming more present and calmer.

So, what’s the right balance?

Guiding Principles for Screen Time

Research suggests children aged 5–17 should have no more than two hours of recreational screen time daily (excluding schoolwork). But what about TV? Should it be lumped together with tablet or phone usage, or treated differently? Let’s explore.

TV Time: Separate or the Same?

Unlike interactive devices, TV often serves as a passive medium. Watching a family movie together or learning something educational can foster connection and learning, but endless hours of cartoons or mindless bingeing offer little benefit. While I group TV under “screen time,” its passive nature means it can be managed with a different approach:

1. Encourage Purposeful Viewing: Suggest specific shows or movies that add value, such as nature documentaries or family-friendly stories with positive themes.
2. Co-View When Possible: Watching together provides opportunities for discussion, connection, and guiding content choices.
3. Limit Background Noise: Keeping the TV on “for company” can distract children from more enriching activities like reading or creative play.
4. Youtube documentaries/ learning programmes: This is a difficult one I encourage it, but how do you monitor or encourage your child to remain on the expected programme. A good way is to have your child communicate the ideas from the programme either through a discussion or some form of presentation.

The Creative and Learning Exception

While it’s important to limit screen time, there are exceptions to the rule. If children are using screens for learning or creative pursuits, extended time may be appropriate—provided it remains focused and intentional.

Examples of productive screen use include:

• Creative Projects: Using apps for digital drawing, music composition, or video editing.
• Skill Development: Watching tutorials to learn a new skill, like coding, crafting, or playing an instrument.
• Educational Tools: Engaging with learning platforms, online courses, or documentaries.

When screens are used as tools for growth and exploration, they can enrich a child’s development rather than hinder it. However, even in these cases, balance is key to ensuring a variety of experiences.

Tips for Balanced Device Usage

Here’s what I’ve found helpful in managing my children’s screen habits:

1. Set Clear Boundaries
   • Device-Free Zones: Declare spaces like the dining table or bedrooms off-limits for screens. Eating while watching was a huges issue in my house hold and changing this required a huge culture shift starting with specific days.
   • Screen Time Windows: Allocate specific times for device use, such as after homework or chores, and stick to them.
2. Offer Alternatives
   • Provide engaging non-screen activities, such as puzzles, art supplies, or books. Having options ready reduces reliance on devices to fill boredom.
   • Encourage outdoor play, whether it’s as simple as kicking a ball or exploring nature.
3. Lead by Example
   • Model balanced screen habits by putting your phone down during family time and engaging in non-digital hobbies yourself.
   • Involve the whole family in activities like board games or baking to create quality shared moments.
4. Check-In on Content
   • Ensure apps, games, and videos align with your family’s values.( Not easy to do at all times, but the occasional check in is advised) Use parental controls where needed, but also talk to your children about why certain content isn’t allowed.
   • Introduce educational apps or challenges that make screen time more constructive.
5. Prioritize Sleep
   • Enforce screen-free time at least an hour before bed. The glow of screens can disrupt melatonin production, affecting sleep quality.

Teaching Responsibility Over Time

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that device management isn’t just about setting rules—it’s about teaching children to self-regulate. When my kids recognize how screens affect their mood or focus, they begin making better choices themselves. Conversations like, “How do you feel after playing that game for an hour?” help them make connections between behaviour and outcomes.

Final Thought
Parenting in the digital age comes with unique challenges, but also incredible opportunities to guide our children toward balance and self-awareness. By fostering intentionality, setting limits, and modelling healthy habits, we can help them see devices not as a right, but as a tool to enhance their lives—not dominate them.

And don’t forget: time spent on learning or creating can be an exception to the screen-time rule, but it’s still important to monitor engagement and ensure a variety of activities. What about you? Have you found tips or strategies that work in your household? I’d love to hear your thoughts!