As parents and educators, we hear so much about the negative effects of screen time. So, should we simply eliminate screens altogether?
Our answer is no but we believe in minimising unnecessary screen time and using technology with purpose.
Why we still use pen and paper
At Lilydale Tuition Centre, we mostly use pen and paper, unless students have schoolwork on their computers that they need help with. It’s not because we think screens are bad. Technology can be incredibly useful for learning. But think about a child’s day, they may already spend hours using computers at school, watching videos, playing games or using other devices.
So when they come to tuition, we want to give their brains a different experience. For an hour or two, they can pick up a pencil, write, calculate, draw diagrams, cross things out and start again. Research suggests that handwriting engages the brain differently from typing and can support learning and memory. Perhaps this is one reason many writers still keep notebooks for their ideas and why many of us still enjoy holding a physical book and turning the pages, even when e-books are readily available.
Screens aren’t simply good or bad
I don’t think screen time is a black-and-white issue. Technology can enhance learning. Children can research topics, watch educational videos, practise languages, create music and art, and learn about almost anything that interests them.
Like most modern inventions, however, technology brings both benefits and risks. Think about cars. Cars save us enormous amounts of time, but they also cause accidents and environmental problems. We didn’t eliminate cars. Instead, we introduced seatbelts, speed limits and road rules to minimise the risks.
Perhaps we need to think about technology in a similar way instead of asking, “How do we eliminate screens?”, perhaps we should ask: “How do we help children use screens responsibly?
The hard part is managing it
This is where it becomes difficult for parents.
Technology, particularly social media and AI, is developing incredibly quickly. Sometimes our understanding and our rules struggle to keep up. And even when we have rules, someone has to enforce them. Parents also need to know what their children are watching, who they are communicating with and what they are doing online.
For busy parents, that’s not always easy. It can be particularly difficult for children who are still developing self-discipline. Some children can turn a device off when asked. Others find it extremely difficult.
So what should we do
In our family, I generally allow my children around 30 minutes of screen time a day for entertainment, and I want to know what they are watching. That doesn’t mean every family needs the same rule. It is simply what works for us.
I also think we need to look at what children are doing on their screens, rather than only counting minutes. An hour researching a school project is different from an hour scrolling through short videos. Creating something on a computer is different from consuming content continuously.
If your child is young or finds it difficult to regulate their own screen use, I would introduce technology slowly and supervise it when possible. Parental-control tools can also help families manage time and content, but they cannot completely replace parental involvement.
And screen time doesn’t always have to mean children sitting alone with their devices. Watch a movie together. Choose a television show, a soccer and tennis match as a family. Laugh together and talk about what you’ve watched. Play video games together on a Friday night. Use Youtube to learn to bake a cake. Technology can bring us together if being used responsibly and effectively.
Technology can separate us, but when used thoughtfully, it can also bring us together.