Screens are now an unavoidable part of childhood, offering new ways to learn, socialise, and provide entertainment. Yet as their role in everyday life continues to grow, so too does concern about when healthy use begins to tip into unhealthy dependence.
Many children spend long periods scrolling through online content, a behaviour often described as doomscrolling. The endless stream of information and entertainment can make it difficult for young minds to disengage, particularly as self-regulation skills are still developing.
Parents may also notice a shift in how children choose to spend their free time. Traditional play, once driven by imagination and curiosity, can gradually be replaced by the immediate rewards that digital devices provide. It can be important to know how screen time can affect a child and when ‘screen time is too much,’ a question organizations like the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics have published guidance on.
Recognising Unhealthy Screen Habits
Rather than focusing only on the amount of time a child spends on a device, it is worth considering how screen use affects their daily life. Has their mood changed when asked to stop? Are they withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed? Is screen use interfering with sleep, learning, or relationships?
Reflecting on these questions can help parents identify unhealthy patterns before they become ingrained. The aim is not to remove screens from childhood, but to encourage a balanced relationship with technology that supports children’s wellbeing and development.
Having Healthy Discussions with a Child About Screen Time
It is often difficult to start conversations about screen time, particularly if children feel they are being criticised or fear having their devices taken away. However, creating opportunities for open and supportive discussions can help children reflect on their own screen use without feeling judged.
Talking regularly about screen time encourages children to recognise how technology makes them feel, both positively and negatively. These conversations can help them identify when scrolling has become habitual, when they are using screens to cope with difficult emotions, or when screen use is affecting their sleep, mood, or relationships. Developing this self-awareness is an important step towards building healthy digital habits.
Educating Children About the Impact of Doomscrolling
Children may not always recognise when scrolling has become excessive or understand how it can affect their wellbeing. Which can make having conversations around how apps are designed to keep engagement through endless content. Understanding how these platforms work, these conversations can also provide the opportunity to discuss how consistent exposure to content can make children feel. By educating children early, we can help build a foundation in understanding the importance of technology and how it can make us feel.
Francesca Francis is a dedicated Counsellor and specialist in neuro-informed practice. Currently studying at University College London (UCL), where she holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Brain and Behaviour and Cognitive Development, her work bridges clinical support, developmental psychology, and social policy. Francesca leverages her expertise in neuroscience to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for children and adolescents, while actively advocating for policy reforms that foster long-term mental health and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child’s screen time has become unhealthy?
Look at how screen use affects daily life rather than just the clock: has their mood changed when asked to stop, are they withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed, and is screen use interfering with sleep, learning, or relationships?
Should parents just take devices away to fix excessive screen time?
Not as a first step. Removing screens entirely can shut down conversation. Regular, non-judgmental discussions help children build self-awareness about how screen use makes them feel, which is a more lasting foundation for healthy habits.
What is doomscrolling, and why does it affect children more?
Doomscrolling is the habit of continuously scrolling through content, often because apps are designed to maximize engagement. Children’s self-regulation skills are still developing, which can make it harder for them to disengage than it is for adults.
Editorial guidance for Family Psychology Magazine’s health and wellness coverage is provided by our Advisory Board of licensed mental health and wellness professionals.
