Healthy screen habit starts at home

AS a psychologist, I sometimes receive requests from parents to conduct workshops for teenagers on limiting screen time. While such requests are understandable, they also reflect a troubling tendency to place the responsibility for change mainly on young people rather than first examining the habits being modelled at home.

Teenagers certainly need guidance on healthy use of technology. However, it is unrealistic to expect them to manage their screen habits when the adults around them are not doing the same. Parents cannot expect teenagers to reduce screen time if they themselves are constantly on their phones.