How parental screen use influences children’s development

Whether it’s converting passive scrolling into active engagement or breaking up screen time with movement, small changes can bring significant benefits. From improved physical health to stronger parent-child connections, thoughtful screen use can improve lives without sacrificing the digital conveniences of modern life

In many households, screens are part of everyday life – from work to entertainment. But for parents, setting boundaries around screens isn’t just about kids; It’s also about developing a balanced approach to screen use. Our research shows that parents who spend excessive time in front of screens may unknowingly 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 crowds out parent-child interactions that are critical for development. This is often portrayed as the child’s screen time crowding out these interactions. However, when parents use their smartphones frequently, it is associated with less responsiveness and attentiveness to their children, especially when this screen time occurs during routines such as mealtime.

Parents don’t have to ban screens to be more present with their children. When parents watch age-appropriate television with their children, it has a positive effect on literacy – possibly through conversations about the content of the program. Parents can do a lot to encourage healthier screen habits in the family through positive role modeling and careful management. Managing screen time is also important for a parent’s physical and mental health.

The health effects of sedentary screen time

Spending time in front of a screen often means sitting for long periods of time, which can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health. Our work has shown that prolonged sitting can affect blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, cerebral blood flow and cognitive function. But that doesn’t mean you should feel guilty every time you retreat to the couch for a well-deserved Netflix evening.

Some of these effects can be eliminated by either exercising before a long period of sitting or breaking up sitting every 30 minutes with light activity – ideally both. You don’t even have to pause the TV to fit in these activity breaks.

One study found that breaking up a sedentary evening of watching TV with short bodyweight exercises (squats, calf raises, and hip extensions) every 30 minutes increased sleep duration by 30 minutes. This is important because sleep strengthens your immune system, helping to maintain good physical and mental health.

While exercise and sleep are helpful, screen content is also important. Mentally passive screen use – like scrolling through social media – has been linked to a higher risk of depression and even dementia, while mentally active screen use (problem solving and work tasks) can actually protect you. While nearly two-thirds of parents believe they can reduce their sedentary screen time, for the remaining third, replacing passive with mentally active screen time is another option.

Our eyes and brain also need a break

Our eyes and minds are not designed for constant screen time. Staring at a screen for too long can cause dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision—all symptoms of eye strain. Screens also affect our brains.

Research has found that excessive and disruptive screen use is linked to deficits in cognitive function. Our brain needs breaks to consolidate information and recharge its batteries. Without regular breaks, we risk cognitive burnout, making it harder to stay productive, concentrate, and possibly even manage screen time.

What can we do?

Guidelines recommend that adults limit screen time during leisure time. But the message to simply “limit screen time” may not be helpful to many, especially when screens are an integral part of modern life. Here are some other ways to reduce the negative effects of excessive screen time: – Avoid digital eye strain.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, give your eyes a break by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds – move regularly.

Exercise regularly and break up sedentary screen time with activities every 30 minutes to improve metabolism and cognitive abilities – limit passive screen time. Try replacing some passive screen activities (doom scrolling) with mentally challenging activities such as puzzles, creative projects, or educational content – modeling balanced screen use for children. This could mean watching educational programs together and discussing them.

Finally, we can’t blame poor screen time management solely on a lack of self-control. The content on our screens is designed to be addictive for parents and children.

A parent reported that her child would avoid going to the bathroom to the point of wetting himself while playing the online game Roblox because he didn’t want his character to die.

Many parents can understand this – albeit with better bladder control. We’ve all experienced doom scrolling, where time seems to disappear and we can’t even remember what we saw. If you are currently at risk of doom scrolling, you should listen to some tips on how to stop it. Take a walk and give yourself a break. It will make you feel better.

(Michael Wheeler, University of Melbourne; David Dunstan, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute; Lauren Arundell, Mats Hallgren and Paddy Dempsey, all from Deakin University)