How can I build a strong relationship with my children while they are preoccupied with screens?

To build a strong relationship with your children while they are preoccupied with screens, it is important to dedicate quality time for direct interaction with them, set clear boundaries for digital device usage, and encourage shared activities. Active listening and designating screen-free times also help strengthen this bond.

Parenting in the digital age requires a conscious approach to ensure family bonds remain strong and healthy. Excessive screen use can affect children's development and their ability to interact socially, which necessitates parental intervention to guide them toward healthy habits and strengthen communication among family members [2].

Allocating Quality Time Away from Screens

Spending quality time with your children is the cornerstone of building a strong relationship. This means engaging in shared activities that require face-to-face interaction, such as playing or reading together. Showing affection, listening to your child, and spending time with them are fundamentals of good parenting that enhance their sense of belonging [1]. When the television is on in the background, even if no one is watching it, the number of words parents speak to their children decreases significantly—dropping by about 770 words out of approximately 940 words per hour—which negatively impacts language development and learning [4]. Therefore, ensure there are screen-free times to focus on your child.

Setting Clear and Age-Appropriate Boundaries

Establishing clear and consistent rules for screen use is essential. For infants under 18 months, it is advised to avoid screens entirely given that their brains cannot benefit from them at this early age, with the exception of video chats with relatives and loved ones, which can help in building relationships [3] [4]. As children grow between the ages of 18 months and five years, it is recommended that electronic entertainment time be limited to one hour per day, with a focus on content designed to teach children useful skills [4]. After the age of two, children may benefit from some interactive educational programs if watched with parents [4]. Developing a family media plan helps in defining these boundaries clearly [3].

Encouraging Alternative Activities and Self-Soothing Skills

Encourage your children to engage in activities that do not involve screens to enhance their skills and spend enjoyable time with them. Real interaction, such as singing, reading, and building a daily routine, gives the child a sense of security, and these are essentials that should not be displaced by screens [3]. It is also important to help children learn self-soothing; some parents may tend to give children screens to calm them down, but this hinders their ability to learn how to regulate their own emotions [3]. Learning to interact with their surroundings helps build confidence and develop important skills.

Effective Communication with Teens and Being a Good Role Model

For teenagers, building a strong relationship requires an understanding of their life stage and its challenges. Using trusted resources to understand the teenage years and encouraging their autonomy and open communication is essential to support them [2]. Listen to your children, share your values with them, and be present to support them emotionally [1]. Children also constantly observe their parents, so be a good role model in your own screen usage to encourage them to adopt similar habits [3]. For more information, you can view Parenting in the Digital Age and the Impact of Screens (Arabic).

Medical references

• Parenting
• Essentials for Parenting Teens
• Kids & Screen Time: The 5 C's Questions to Ask for Infants - HealthyChildren.org
• Why to Avoid TV for Infants & Toddlers - HealthyChildren.org