Families For Life | Screen-addicted kids? Here's how to bring them back to the real world

Does your child prefer to spend hours on their tablet or stay indoors watching TV on a sunny day? Between schoolwork, entertainment, and staying connected with friends, digital devices have become woven into daily life. This presents a challenge for parents, especially when children become overly attached to their devices, leading to adverse side effects. However, with a few practical, realistic strategies, it’s possible to ease screens out of the centre of your child’s life and make room for play, connection, and curiosity again.

Provide alternative activities

While setting screen time limits are useful, the alternatives afterwards are also important. If your child lacks other activities to do in place of screen time, they may resist giving up their devices in the future. Providing healthy and high-quality activities outside of their devices also encourages your child to learn to manage screen time independently.

Once their screen time is up, gently direct your child to their books, puzzles, craft supplies, toys, or sports equipment. Keep these items in sight and within easy reach for them. Rotate activities every so often to keep things feeling fresh without buying more stuff. Listen to their concerns and adapt their alternatives if needed.

Embrace boredom

It can be beneficial if your child gets bored. Boredom pushes your child to take control and decide for themselves what to do with their free time. This lull in their day will allow them to make decisions on their own, such as what to do, what they enjoy, how long to play for and how to feel. This “free play” is great for developing self-regulation, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills.

So, the next time your child complains about being “bored”, resist the urge to entertain them yourself, but rather gently coax them to embrace the boredom and figure out something to do.

Build their community

Being screen-free will be much easier for your child if they have like-minded pals join them. Encourage them to make friends and organise some screen-free gatherings. Plan fun non-tech activities for your child to engage in with friends or loved ones, like same-aged cousins. One or two companions are all your child needs to shift their focus away from screen use and have fun in the real world.

Keep them motivated

Learning to be less reliant on their screens takes lots of time and effort to get used to. When your child returns their devices to you or chooses a screen-free activity, praise them generously to motivate them to do it again. Over time, your little one will learn that embracing healthy screen habits is fulfilling and feel empowered to make similar choices in the future.

It’s a family effort

Managing screen time doesn’t have to be just for your child. When the whole family is involved, everyone can motivate each other and hold each other accountable for adopting healthy screen habits. It also shows your child that putting down their screens and having fun with their loved ones is a team effort, not a punishment.

Parents also play a powerful role simply by modelling the behaviour they want to see in their children. These small, consistent actions help normalise balance and show children that managing screen time is a lifelong skill for everyone, rather than just a rule they’re expected to follow.

Beat screen addiction together

These screen balancing tips don’t only apply to your little ones – everyone in the family can benefit from a more mindful relationship with their devices. Change doesn't happen overnight, and that’s okay! Take it one step at a time, encourage one another, and over time, your child will naturally pick up the skills to manage screens responsibly as they grow. Together, you and your family can adopt healthier digital habits and better connect through real-world family experiences.