What Effect Do Screens Have on Kids?
The balanced view.
Let's start with what you've probably heard:
"Screens are ruining our kids."
"Children are addicted to devices."
"Technology is destroying childhood."
It's scary. And it's not the full picture.
The research is complicated.
Yes, excessive screen time can affect:
- Sleep (blue light, stimulation before bed)
- Attention (fast-paced content, constant switching)
- Physical activity (sitting instead of moving)
- Social skills (less face-to-face interaction)
But "screens" aren't one thing.
Watching YouTube for 4 hours is different from video calling grandma. Playing an educational game is different from scrolling TikTok. Creating content is different from consuming it.
Context matters. Content matters. Time matters.
What actually helps
1. Sleep matters most.
Screens before bed disrupt sleep. Poor sleep affects everything — mood, focus, behaviour.
Simple fix: No screens in the hour before bed. Charge devices outside the bedroom.
2. Displacement is the real issue.
The problem isn't screens themselves. It's what screens replace.
If screens replace sleep, exercise, family time, or play — that's a problem. If screens are part of a balanced day — less so.
3. Co-viewing beats solo viewing.
Kids watching with a parent learn more and feel more connected than kids watching alone.
You don't need to ban screens. You can share them.
4. Boredom is okay.
Kids need unstructured time. Boredom sparks creativity.
If every quiet moment is filled with a screen, they miss that.
The honest truth
Kids haven't changed. They still need attention, presence, play, and connection.
What's changed is the world around them — and the devices in everyone's pockets.
Including ours.
What you can do
- Set boundaries that work for your family (not someone else's)
- Focus on what screens replace, not just how long
- Prioritise sleep
- Be present when you're with them — which means looking at your own screen less too
Need help with parental controls or finding balance?
Get in touch