In many households, screens are part of daily life – from work to entertainment.
But for parents, setting boundaries around screens isn’t just about kids; it’s also about modelling a balanced approach to screen use.
Our research shows parents who spend excessive time on screens may unconsciously encourage similar habits in their children.
Excessive screen time in young children is linked to developmental delays in communication and problem-solving. One explanation is that screen time displaces parent–child interactions that are crucial for development. This is often framed as the child’s screen time displacing these interactions.
But when parents use their smartphones a lot, this is associated with lower responsiveness and attention towards their children, particularly when this screen time occurs during routines such as meal time.
Parents don’t need to ban screens to be more present with their kids. If parents watch age-appropriate TV with their kids, this has a positive effect on literacy – possibly due to conversations about the content of the show.
There is a lot parents can do to foster healthier screen habits in the family through positive role-modelling and thoughtful management.
Managing screen time is also important for a parent’s own physical and mental health.
The health impact of sedentary screen time
Screen time often means sitting for long stretches, which can be bad for our physical and mental health.
Our work has shown prolonged periods of sitting can impair blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, brain blood flow and cognitive function.
But that doesn’t mean you should you feel guilty every time you retire to the couch for some well-deserved Netflix.
Some of these effects can be eliminated by either exercising before a prolonged bout of sitting or breaking up sitting every 30 minutes with some light activity – ideally both.