For many working parents, screens often become a practical necessity rather than a deliberate choice. Many struggle with inconsistency.
There is also anxiety over age-appropriate content, persuasive digital features such as autoplay, advertisements and algorithms, and the fear that children may ‘fall behind’ if they are not digitally fluent early on.
In this context, parents value preschools as a shared reference point, helping to align expectations so children receive consistent messages at home and in the classroom.
Confidence grows when parents feel supported rather than judged, and when digital habits are recognised as part of whole-child development – not a separate or taboo issue.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
In my clinical work with children and families in Malaysia, I often observe concerns such as reduced frustration tolerance, shorter attention spans, and difficulty managing impulses, particularly when children are frequently exposed to fast-paced, highly stimulating digital content.
When entertainment is always immediate, children have fewer chances to practise developmental skills such as waiting, coping with boredom or managing disappointment.
A helpful guide for parents is to look at how a child responds when limits are set, such as whether they can disengage with adult support, recover emotionally, and function well in other areas such as sleep and social connection.
Ultimately, the goal is not to remove technology entirely, but to ensure children develop self-regulation, emotional awareness and balanced routines, because these skills will shape healthy digital habits later on.
