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Dealing with Excessive Device Use
In today’s digital age, devices are an essential part of learning and staying connected—but when screen time becomes excessive, it can affect a child’s sleep, mood, relationships, and overall well-being. This page offers practical tips, conversation starters, and simple tools to help you guide your child in using technology wisely and in balance with other meaningful activities. Together, let’s nurture healthy digital habits at home.
Little Tips, Lasting Routines
Little Tips, Lasting Routines
Be Consistent and Calm when Enforcing Limits
Be Consistent and Calm when Enforcing Limits
Use a visual schedule or timer to make limits clear. Let your child know ahead of time how much time they have.
Be a Role Model
Be a Role Model
Practice “phone-free time” during family meals, conversations, or outings.
Avoid Using Screentime as Reward or Punishment
Avoid Using Screentime as Reward or Punishment
Instead, tie screen time to daily routines and agreements. Example: “After homework and chores, you can have 45 minutes of free screen time.”
Involve your child in setting limits
Involve your child in setting limits
Have a family discussion and co-create a screen time agreement. Allow your child to suggest screen-free activities too.
Have Screen-Free Times and Zones
Have Screen-Free Times and Zones
Designate times (e.g. during meals, car rides, before bed) or zones (e.g. bedrooms, bathrooms) as device-free.
Recognise and Celebrate Balance
Recognise and Celebrate Balance
Praise your child when they follow the screen plan or stop without a fuss. Consider non-screen rewards like choosing a weekend outing.
Let's Do Together!
Let's Do Together!
Let's try out the following activities at home to build a routine of good habits!
Our wind-down routine :)
Our wind-down routine :)
Reading before bedtime routine started many years back when my eldest, who is now 12, was just a toddler. It was to help her wind down before bed. Over time, it became our quiet little tradition and as her younger siblings came along, they naturally joined in, curling up with their own books or listening intently to stories being read.
Power Down Before Bed
Power Down Before Bed
How to Do It:
Set an alarm or reminder to power down
Create a calming routine: warm shower, story time, journaling, or reading.
Design a "Night Basket" where devices are stored.
Use warm lighting and quiet activities (e.g., puzzles or a calming playlist).
Why It Helps: Supports sleep hygiene, helps children wind down naturally, and reduces screen-induced stress.
Board Game Marathon
Board Game Marathon
How to Do It:
Choose age-appropriate games (e.g., UNO, Monopoly Junior, Charades).
Allow kids to invite parents to play their favourite games.
Create a tournament chart or “Family Game Champion” crown.
Let each child design a simple game with rules and handmade cards.
Why It Helps: Sparks fun, teaches turn-taking and strategy, and replaces screen time with quality bonding.
The “One Hour Daily Detox”
The “One Hour Daily Detox”
How to Do It:
Choose a time that works for everyone (e.g., 8-9 pm after dinner).
Create a “device basket” where all devices go during that hour.
Use the time for shared family activities: e.g. board games, sketching, reading aloud, or a short home workout.
Let children take turns planning what the family will do each day.
Why It Helps: Establishes consistency, reduces dependency, and encourages meaningful interaction.
Story Swap Challenge
Story Swap Challenge
How to Do It:
Give each person 5 minutes to tell a story without using books or screens.
Use prompts like:
“The day everything went upside down...”
“The mystery of the missing pancake...”
Record stories in a family journal or audio log.
Add a twist: include a random object (e.g., toothbrush, shoe) in the story.
Why It Helps: Boosts imagination, language skills, and builds a culture of shared memories without screens.
Screen-Free Meals Challenge
Screen-Free Meals Challenge
How to Do It:
Place all devices out of reach before meals.
Try conversation starters like:
“What made you smile today?”
“If you could be any animal, what would you be?”
Introduce simple table games like “Would You Rather” or “20 Questions”.
Why It Helps: Promotes family bonding and encourages mindful eating and communication.
Resources and Links
Resources and Links
Let's check out some of the other resources available online here!
Struggling with Excessive Device Use
Struggling with Excessive Device Use
You’ve tried talking to your child and limiting their internet access, but nothing has worked. Why is that so? What else can you do? Guidance Specialist Hendriawan bin Selamat shares some tips that may help families move towards managing device use more peacefully and effectively. Click on the image to find out more!
Negatives of Electronic Devices
Negatives of Electronic Devices
We’re raising a new generation of children who lead device-driven lifestyles. While computers and hand-held devices are becoming more of necessities than luxuries, our children shouldn’t be inseparable from them. Two hours per day for 7-18 year-olds is the recommendation you should stick with. Click on the image to find out more!
Limiting Screen Time
Digital devices are everywhere, but we don’t have to be glued to them. It’s easy for those extra minutes to turn into hours, especially for our children.
Setting boundaries around screen time is essential for their well-being. By creating tech-free zones and keeping a consistent schedule, you’ll help them focus better, sleep soundly, and enjoy more face-to-face time with family. Click on the image to find out more!
Screen Time Guidelines
Screen Time Guidelines
Here is an article from the CNA Online on the Importance of controlling the Screen Time.
Holiday Screen-Time Control Template
Holiday Screen-Time Control Template
You may even create your Own list using this template.Here are some things you can do during the Holidays to keep the children occupied and away from the screen.
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