Screens are now a routine part of life for children and adolescents. Televisions, tablets and, increasingly, smartphones are used for entertainment, education and communication.
When screen use is balanced within a healthy lifestyle, it can offer benefits.
High-quality content can be informative and enjoyable, allowing young people to learn, relax and stay connected with friends and family.
However, concerns arise when screen time begins to replace activities that are essential for wellbeing and healthy development.
For children and young people, screen use should not occur at the expense of adequate sleep, face-to-face social interaction or outdoor physical activity.
Free play is particularly important, as it supports creativity, resilience and independence.
Activities such as reading, imaginative play, art, riding a bike and spending time with peers help children develop interests and essential life skills.
Screens should add value to daily life rather than distract from healthy activities or dominate a child’s routine.
Screens can be seductive for children who are more vulnerable. Excessive use, particularly in bedrooms, can lead to long periods spent gaming or on social media.
This often results in withdrawal from in-person social contact, reduced physical activity and disrupted sleep patterns.
For this reason, screens should be kept out of bedrooms, especially at night, to support healthy sleep routines.
Parents can play a role as role models by limiting their own screen use, particularly during family times such as meals.
Current guidelines published by the government recommend that children under two years should not use screens, apart from video chatting.
Learning occurs best through play and interaction with others.
For children aged two to five years, screen time should be limited to no more than one hour per day, with an emphasis on outdoor play and social activities.
Co-viewing can encourage discussion, support cyber safety and help parents understand what their child is engaging with.
It is important that parents teach children to think critically about online content in an era of digital misinformation and scams.
For older children and adolescents, parents should establish clear agreements around screen use, including how much, when and what content is appropriate.
Recent government action banning social media for those under 16 reflects concerns about links to anxiety, eating disorders and low self-esteem, particularly among girls.
Boys may be especially vulnerable to excessive gaming, which can lead to online gambling.
It is estimated that a significant proportion of Australian teenagers gamble online each year, according to 2025 paper by The Australia Institute.
Decisions about providing a mobile phone should be based on a child’s maturity and need rather than social pressure, with clear rules set from the outset.
Ultimately, children and adolescents need time to play, socialise and develop independence in the real world. Screens should support, not undermine, this process.
