GAME OVER OR GAME ON? SCREEN TIME AND KIDS MENTAL HEALTH

“Kids don’t need screens – their parents should just throw them away!”

Has anyone ever said anything like this to you? Have you thought something like this yourself?

Parenting in the digital age is a daily challenge we may not always feel prepared for. Unless you’ve decided to live off the grid, digital devices are part of the fabric of our children's world. Add to this that everyone from the media to our neighbours and friends seems to have an opinion on the amount of screen time kids should have. These views vary widely and don’t tend to be positive, leaving screens with a bad reputation.

It can be helpful to monitor your child’s use and – depending on children’s ages and needs –create boundaries that help keep them safe and suit your family. You decide what you are comfortable with, but to get you started, here are some ideas you could try.

Screen Time Tips for Kids

For children under 5:

• Experts recommend no screen time for kids under 2 (except for video calls with family and friends, which help build relationships).
• For ages 2–5, aim for no more than 1 hour per day of quality, educational screen time.
• Watch or play with your child to make it interactive and bonding.
• Be a role model—kids notice how much we use screens!

For school-aged children (5–16):

• Experts suggest limiting screen time to 2 hours a day (excluding school work).
• Show interest in what your child is watching or playing—join in or ask questions.
• Use parental controls and check them regularly.
• Set clear screen-time limits and involve your child in creating a schedule.
• Encourage other activities like sports, outdoor play, or hobbies to help balance screen time.
• Keep communication open—talk about online safety, cyberbullying, and let your child know they can come to you with any concerns.

Helping kids build healthy screen habits starts early and grows with them!

With these tips at hand, you may have a few more options to consider when it comes to screens, so that it doesn’t have to just be ‘game over’ for all devices. For more ideas on creating boundaries for screen use, you might like to check-out our range of online parenting programs. For families of children aged 12 and under, Triple P Online can help. For support with teens, you could try Teen Triple P Online. For parents and carers of children with disability, you might be interested in Stepping Stones Triple P Online.

Renee Rees

School Psychologist