Rethinking screen time: Are we modelling healthy habits for our kids?
Noel Hendrickson, Getty Images
South Africans rank among the highest in global screen time usage, with adults averaging nearly 10 hours daily on devices, raising concerns about the impact on children observing these habits.
Experts warn of the mental, emotional, and physical risks excessive screen time poses, from anxiety to poor academic performance.
By making small lifestyle changes, such as having device-free family time and using built-in screen-time tools, parents can lead by example and promote a healthier, more balanced approach to technology.
South Africa has earned a dubious distinction: its citizens spend more time glued to screens than most other nations.
With the average South African adult devoting a staggering nine hours and 37 minutes daily to smartphones, nearly a third of their waking hours, it's clear we're in the grip of a digital addiction. But as parents scroll through social media (which alone consumes 22% of daily usage), what lessons are we teaching our children about healthy technology use?
The disturbing cost of screen obsession
The SA Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) warns that our screen addiction is fuelling a mental health crisis among young people. The statistics paint a troubling picture:
- Adolescents spending more than five hours daily on devices are 70% more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those with less than an hour of screen time.
- Even moderate use (four to six hours) increases risks of anxiety and depression compared to peers with just two hours less exposure.
- Studies across 14 countries found cellphones consistently disrupt learning - with notifications alone requiring up to 20 minutes for children to refocus.
Psychiatrist Professor Renata Schoeman explains the ripple effects:
Excessive screen time links to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, declining academic performance, social withdrawal, and exposure to harmful content like cyberbullying or eating disorder promotion.
Physical consequences include obesity, eye strain, and poor posture.
Parents' confessions: Holding a mirror to our habits
Before reading SASOP's findings, I started to think about what my phone usage looks like to my four-year-old after she chastised her father for always being on his phone.
After reading SASOP's warning, I wondered about my own usage stats. According to the dashboard in my device's Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls centre, I spend four to five hours on my phone daily.
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I contacted other South African parents about their screen habits for this piece. Here's what they shared:
Khaya (8h25m): Acknowledges work demands that necessitate usage but vows to be more present.
Tinashe (eight to 10 hours): Admits his daughter associates him with his computer.
Marilynn (5h45m): Calls her usage 'excessive' and feels guilty.
Iavan (5h50m): Justifies nighttime scrolling as 'downtime'.
Lerato (7h40m): Shares devices with kids watching YouTube.
Hein (10h20m): Acknowledges that his screen time doesn't set a healthy example.
Their honesty reminds me of an uncomfortable truth: children learn by observation.
'I don't think it's the healthiest example because my daughter associates me with my computer a lot, however I do try and manage her screen time and encourage breaks for outdoor time or other activities. Sometimes I'll switch everything off and leave music in the background,' says Tinashe.
Lerato's screen time.
As Schoeman notes: 'We cannot expect children to moderate screen time when they see adults constantly glued to phones.'
Practical tools for change
The solution isn't shaming ourselves and others or abandoning screens but finding balance.
Both Apple and Android devices offer built-in tools:
- Screen Time Tracking (iOS/Android): Shows daily/weekly usage per app.
- App Limits: Set daily caps on usage for specific apps.
- Downtime/Focus Mode: Blocks non-essential apps during set hours.
- Bedtime Mode: Silences notifications and grays out screens.
- Do Not Disturb: Pauses alerts during family time or work.
Schoeman also recommends:
- No screens under age two; less than one hour for ages two to five; less than two hours for older kids.
- Device-free meals and bedrooms.
- Modelling breaks and offline activities.
- Overnight device custody for teens.
Small changes, big impact
As Lerato discovered, simple swaps, like outdoor chores with kids, can reshape family habits.
Reflecting on her goals, Marilynn says: 'Ideally, I'd like to take that number down to two hours or so. With all the research around the negative impacts of increased screen time, I feel quite guilty that I'm not setting a better example and do hope to do better.'
'Children don't need perfection,' reminds Schoeman, 'they need consistency.'
Putting phones away at dinner or disabling notifications during homework sends powerful messages.
With South Africa's screen stats among the world's highest, I find it ironic that we must not forget that our children are watching (us).
The question of what our solution to the crisis highlighted by SASOP isn't just about their screen time but ours, too.
As the parents, we spoke to demonstrate that awareness is the first step toward change. What will your screen time teach your child today?
- To check your screen time on an Android device, open your settings and scroll to Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls or a similar setting. You can find your screen time report on an Apple device in your control centre.
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