Screens are now part of everyday life – online school, homework, entertainment, calls with relatives. Completely banning them for kids isn’t realistic, but unlimited access isn’t great either. The goal is healthy boundaries, not total control.
Excessive screen time is linked to poor sleep, less physical activity, eye strain, and difficulty focusing on offline tasks. It also quietly replaces creative play, outdoor time and face-to-face interactions that are crucial for development.
You can start with some practical rules: no screens during meals, no devices in the bedroom at night, and a fixed “off time” at least 30–60 minutes before sleep. For younger kids, co-viewing – watching with them and discussing what they see – is better than leaving them alone with a device.
Rather than focusing only on strict hours, look at the overall balance of the day. Did your child get some outdoor activity, reading time, homework, and family interaction? If yes, a reasonable amount of fun screen time may fit in without major harm.
Be ready to model behaviour yourself. Kids quickly notice when parents say “no screen” but keep scrolling their own phones constantly. Small family rituals – walks, board games, shared hobbies – make it easier to reduce mindless scrolling for everyone.
If screens are causing meltdowns, sleep problems or big behaviour changes, it may be time for a deeper conversation or help from a professional.