Learn About Screentime and Screen Use

Screens are a big part of life for our tamariki. They learn, play, and stay in touch through them, and that’s not inherently a bad thing. The trick is to help them get the best out of screens without letting them take over. As well as thinking about how much time kids spend online, it’s also important to focus on how they’re using that time. Some screen use helps them learn, connect, or create, but other times, it’s might be endless scrolling that can leave them tired or flat.

In a nutshell

Screentime is about counting minutes spent on a device or online.

Screen use means everything your child does on a screen, like watching videos, chatting with friends, gaming, creating, or learning.

A balanced approach is to think about the quality of the time they are spending on a screen, as well as how long is spent online. Some screen time is active and creative - other times it’s just passive scrolling.

There are two types of screen use:

Active
- For example playing games with friends, learning through an app, making art or videos
- Active screen use can helps tamariki to think, connect, or build skills
- This screen use has goal or purpose, and can be uplifting, rewarding or stimulating.
Passive
- For example scrolling through social media, watching videos on autoplay resulting in endless watching
- This screen use happens without much thought or interaction being required
- Passive screen use can leave tamariki feeling tired, bored or frustrated

When we think about screen use instead of screen time, we notice all the ways technology helps young people learn, create, and care about the world around them.

5-minute whānau safety check

We’ve talked about which screen use feels good and which feels tiring
We’ve agreed on break times, like before bed or during meals
We’ve checked brightness, sound, and filters to make screens easier on the eyes
We’ve planned one no-screen activity to do together each day
My child knows they can ask for help or take a break when they need it

What to expect

When your child is using a device you might notice them:

Switching between apps, games, or chats
Getting caught up in what they’re doing and losing track of time
Scrolling for longer than they planned
Feeling happy after one kind of screen use, but tired or grumpy after another
Finding it hard to put the phone down before bed

If your child seems tired, distracted, or stuck in a loop of endless scrolling, talk about how they’re using screens, not just how much time they're spending online.

For example, “Does this make you feel good, or just take up time?”

What's the up-side?

How can screentime support and uplift your child?

Learning and creating

Screens can help children and young people explore new ideas, create, make art, write stories, code, or edit videos

Staying connected

Phones and games help rangatahi keep in touch with friends, especially when life gets busy.

Having fun and relaxing

Watching a funny video or playing a game can be a healthy way to unwind.

Seeing the world

Kids use screens to learn about people and places they might never see otherwise, from world news to music, art and cultures.

(it's a) creative outlet – using Instagram as an online diary, sharing writing with an online community.

Youth Participant

No Single Online Experience – Youth Roadshow Report 2025

What's the flip-side?

Too much of anything can have negative impacts

Getting stuck in the scroll

Apps are designed to keep us watching or playing

Feeling wired or wiped out

Too much fast or bright screen time can make it hard to rest or sleep

Sensory overload

High-speed, bright, or noisy content can overstimulate tamariki — even when they enjoy it

Missing out on other things

When screens take over, kids miss out on hobbies, sport, friends and sleep

Feeling like tech is in control

Sometimes rangatahi might feel like they don't even want to be online anymore, but it feels hard to stop and break the cycle

Safety Check

Use the settings

Turn off auto-play and “infinite scroll” to help your young person stop when they want to
Use screen time tracking tools, not to judge, but to learn what the patterns are and what’s working to help maintain balance
Turn on night mode to make it easier on eyes and sleep
Switch off unnecessary notifications to reduce distractions

Learn about app design together

Talk about how apps work to grab attention, and how to take charge of your time again. The goal isn’t to cut out screens but to use them in ways that build happiness, learning, and confidence.

Co-create boundaries

When young people arte involved in setting the rules they are more likely to stick to them. Agree on rules around screentime for your home, and when and where devices can be used.

Top Tips

Click on each block to learn more about how you can support your whānau to find balance with screentime and screen use.

Ask what they enjoy about being online, what it does for them, and how they know when it's time to take a break

“What do you like most about being online?”
“Which apps or games make you feel good?”
"What do you get out of it? What does it do for you?"
“How do you know when it’s time for a break?”
“What’s your favourite app or game right now?”
“Do you like watching, creating, chatting, or gaming the most?”
“When does screen time make you feel good?”
“What helps you unwind?”
“What feels draining?”

Chat about balance in small moments and share your own habits to help them spot what feels good versus draining.

“When I scroll before bed, I can’t sleep. What about you?”
"How are you feeling now that you’ve wrapped up your game for the day?"
“After using your screen, do you feel better, bored, or stressed?”

Try device-free breaks or planning offline activities together as a whānau.

Use timers or routines side-by-side.
Plan an activity you all enjoy and be intentional about being offline when doing it (e.g. baking, walking, playing a board game)

Create shared expectations for rest, homework and downtime.