8. Parent Education - Keep a Balance
A key part of parenting is to ensure your child has a healthy, balanced life. This is also true of their engagement in the online world.
Start the conversation
- Talk to your child about their online time and the importance of taking breaks.
- Spend time online with your child to understand their games and platforms better.
- Conduct an experiment to measure their device usage throughout the day.
Thriving
- Children thrive with a balanced mix of activities. Ensure they engage in physical activity, connect with nature, bond with family, interact with peers and develop their spirituality.
- Follow Australian Department of Health guidelines for screen time limits: 1 hour per day for ages 2-5 and 2 hours per day for ages 5-17 (excluding online learning).
Practical Tips
- Create a family device agreement to set boundaries for device use.
- Establish device-free times such as before bedtime, during dinner, and overnight.
- Focus on quality content rather than quantity. Discuss and engage with what your child watches or does online.
- Provide alternative options and encourage offline activities, hobbies, and sports.
- Dedicate one screen-free day each week.
Parent Resources