Parenting experts: Screen time can be a time for family bonding

Families often view screen time as divisive and struggle to find a healthy balance with family time, but playing along with children on screens can be a “force for good”, parenting experts say.

Screens can be a “force for good” in families, parenting experts say.

The key is harnessing kids’ enthusiasm for technological devices and playing along with them, according to a new guide from the ­government-funded website ­raisingchildren.net.au.

“Families often struggle with the balance between healthy screen time and family time,” the executive director of the website, Associate Professor Julie Green, said.

“Screens don’t always have to divide parents and children. Sharing screen time with your child is a social thing to do.

“It shows you care about things that matter to them, and this sends them an ­extremely powerful message.”

Shivani Dutta shares screen time with son Abir, 9. Picture: David Caird

The website has just launched a resource aimed at helping parents share screen time with their children.

“Watching videos and playing digital games with younger children and teens is just as valid for building ­relationships as doing other activities if that’s what everyone enjoys,” Prof Green said.

The resource says children and teens benefit most from screen time when parents watch and play with them.

Sharing screen time can also help parents and children learn new things, start conversations on difficult topics or reinforce family values on social media and other areas.

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Prof Green said the key was finding the right balance.

“Parents can help their children do this by encouraging them to get outside and enjoy physical activity and face-to-face time with friends and family,” she said.

“It’s also good to remember that screens aren’t ­recommended for children under two.”

Shivani Dutta, 36, said using screens in her house had helped her nine-year-old son, Abir, learn.

“With his dad, he watches sport and gets to learn about Australian football, and with me he watches cooking shows and educational videos like science and technology,” she said.

The national recommendations for screen time suggest none at all for under twos, less than an hour for children aged two to five and less than two hours for children aged five and over.

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Yet data from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows toddlers have two hours of screen time a day.

The hospital’s Longitudinal Study of Australian ­Children also shows children aged four to five spend more than two hours a day on screens, and children 12 to 13 spend three to four hours a day.

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