How Parents Can Foster Healthy Screen Use

With tablets and mobile devices becoming more accessible than before, it can be challenging to manage screen use for your primary school-going child (aged 7–12). However, it’s important to monitor their screen use to ensure they lead a balanced lifestyle.

Our expert, Dr Evelyn Law, Senior Consultant of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics at National University Hospital (NUH) shares why.

1. Excessive Screen Use Can Lead to Health Issues

An increasing number of children are becoming short-sighted due to improper screen use, and your child may be at risk too. This makes them more vulnerable to high-degree myopia in adulthood, which could affect their quality of life.

Obesity is another health concern, as excessive screen use makes your child more sedentary, reducing their time for physical activities like playing outside. Additionally, using screens during meals can interfere with your child’s ability to realise when they are full, which may lead to them overeating, potentially resulting in obesity — and eventually, chronic health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

2. Screen Use Can Affect Children’s Self-Esteem

There is emerging evidence that content on social media can affect a child’s self-identity, ability to socialise, and control of their emotions. This can lead to negative effects such as depressive and disordered eating symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and anxiety.

As such, children below 13 years old should not have access to social media platforms. This ensures that your child grows up with both a healthy physique, and good mental well-being.

How Parents Can Better Manage Screen Use

Here are some tips from Dr Law to help your child find a healthy balance with screen use.

1. Keep An Eye On Your Child’s Screen

Do not let your child use screens or the internet without supervision. Use device management and parental control apps to ensure that the content they are watching is age-appropriate and educational.

You can also guide your child’s screen use habits by talking to them regularly about what they are viewing online and offering advice on suitable content.

If your child requires their devices for educational purposes, you should keep their screens within your view. This will allow you to ensure that they are focused on completing their task, instead of being distracted by inappropriate online content.

2. Prioritise Sleep Over Screen Use

It’s essential that your child gets sufficient sleep so that they can grow up well. As such, children should avoid using screens at least one hour before bedtime, as the blue light from screens affects the production of melatonin — resulting in poorer sleep quality.

3. Strike A Balance With A Screen Use Plan

Have open conversations with your child to help them understand the negative effects of excessive screen use. After that, ask them what healthy activities they enjoy, so you can create a plan that balances fun activities with screen use. For example, their day should have a mix of outdoor play, family bonding activities, and sleep, with no more than 2 hours of screen use outside of schoolwork.

When you have chores to complete, it may be tempting to use screens to keep your child occupied. Instead, try incorporating simple chores into their screen use plan. This will help them develop organisational skills, while keeping them engaged. Additionally, storybooks and fun activity books make great screen-free alternatives.

Parents, remember that patience, understanding, and collaboration are essential to help your child balance screen use. If you need more information to help you along the journey, you can visit Parent Hub for other useful resources. You’ve got this!

For a bite-sized version of this article, check out Dr Law’s video.

References:

1. Guidance on Screen Use in Children, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 2025. Available from
https://go.gov.sg/moh-screenadvisory