27/12/2025
📱 Screen Time During the Holidays: Let's Talk About It.
During the holidays, routines have disappeared, and suddenly your child is asking for "just one more episode" before breakfast. Let's be honest: screen time increases during holidays. And that's okay. You're not failing because your child watches more TV in December. But if you're feeling uneasy or noticing behaviour changes, this post is for you.
What we're covering:
✅ WHO screen time guidelines by age
✅ Passive vs. active screen time
✅ Signs screen time might need adjusting
✅ Practical strategies for balance
WHO Guidelines:
📱 Under 2: No screen time (except video calls)
📱 2-4 years: Max 1 hour/day, high-quality, supervised
📱 5+ years: Limits that don't interfere with sleep, activity, or connection
Why holidays = more screens:
During term, structure limits screens naturally. During holidays? That structure disappears. You're juggling work, visitors, and entertaining children.
Screens fill gaps. They give breathing room. That's okay.
What KIND of screen time matters:
✅ Better quality passive screen time:
✅ High-quality educational content
✅ Low stimulation shows (slower pace, calmer visuals)
✅ Parental supervision and co-viewing
✅ Discussion afterwards
Avoid problematic passive screen time:
❌ Endless Autoplay videos
❌ Fast-paced, overstimulating content
❌ Watching alone
❌ Used solely to avoid boredom
Encourage Active screen time:
✅Educational apps requiring problem-solving
✅Video calls with family
✅ Creating content (drawing apps, coding)
Signs screen time needs adjusting:
🚩 Meltdowns when screens removed
🚩 Everything else is "boring"
🚩 Disrupted sleep
🚩 Physical complaints (headaches, eye strain)
🚩 Withdrawal from family activities
Practical Strategies:
1️⃣ Set clear limits. Use timers.
2️⃣ Screens come AFTER: getting dressed, breakfast, outdoor time.
3️⃣ Screen-free zones: meals, bedrooms at night, first hour after waking.
4️⃣ Co-view when possible. Discuss.
5️⃣ Model healthy use.
You don't need perfect rules. When things tip out of balance? Course-correct. No guilt. Just adjustments.
