Wellbeing: Thriving on and offline

From learning new things to chatting with friends or having a laugh at a funny video, most of us are just a click away from the digital world.

As parents, helping our children to find a healthy balance between screen time and the ups and downs of everyday life can be a challenge.

“Young people’s developing brains make them especially sensitive to engaging and rewarding digital experiences,” explains Michelle Denis, Head of Digital at Haileybury.

Because young children and adolescents’ brains are still maturing, young people are particularly influenced by how they use technology and their habits formed during this critical developmental stage.

This means that when young people spend prolonged time online without having clear boundaries, such as unlimited screen time, it can affect how they develop important skills like the ability to focus and make decisions, manage frustrations and impulse control.

“This doesn’t mean technology is harmful by default. Instead, it highlights the importance of helping children establish mindful, healthy habits around screens,” explains Michelle.

“Internet addiction is not defined by the amount of time spent online alone but rather by whether online use begins to crowd out sleep, friendship, activities or emotional wellbeing,” she says.

Some signs a person might be spending too much time online include being secretive about their online activities, losing interest in hobbies they previously loved or continuing to log on even when it starts to cause issues at home or school. Children might also find it very hard to reduce their screen time or feel like they need to spend even more time online to retain the same level of enjoyment.

Ways to support young people to stay balanced online:

• Balance habits. Encourage children to develop balanced habits. This can include switching between online activities, hobbies, movement and rest.

• Communicate. Have open, non-judgemental conversations with your child that foster trust and understanding. Help them to feel safe to tell you what they are doing online. Maintain an open conversation about the internet’s benefits and potential dangers.

• Encourage broad interests and life skills. Help your children to develop a range of healthy coping strategies, hobbies and interests that do not include screens. For example: face-to-face interactions, sport, music, creative or outdoor activities.

• Model healthy technology use: Think about your own screen time habits and try to model a balanced approach to technology. 

• Set clear limits: Establish consistent rules about screen free times and places (for example mealtimes or bedrooms). 

Useful resources

Screen time (eSafetyCommissioner)

Healthy screen time and digital technology use (raisingchildren.net.au)

Video gaming problems and gaming addiction (raisingchildren.net.au)