6 warning signs your child might be spending too much time online
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In today’s digital age, it can feel impossible to escape the pull of screens, and children are no exception. While technology offers countless benefits, excessive screen time can have negative effects on a child’s development and wellbeing. Baroness Beeban Kidron highlighted this issue at the House of Lords this week, telling peers: “A child, whether five or 15, is no match for the billions of dollars spent hijacking their attention, their self-esteem and their bodies, and we have to in these moments as a House choose David over Goliath.”.
The Internet Watch Foundation also urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to strengthen incoming online safety rules this week after a record amount of child sexual abuse material was found on the internet in 2024. From mood changes to social withdrawal, here are six warning signs that could indicate your child needs a break from their devices.
1. Lack of sleep. If your child has become noticeably more tired in the mornings, excessive screen time in the evenings could be interfering with their sleep. Bombusa recommends charging all phones in the house somewhere outside of the bedrooms at night, and to also have open conversations with children about excessive phone use.
“Think about why they might be staying on their device – are they having trouble switching off or feeling left out socially?” says Bombusa. “Talk it through with them and set clear consequences, like less time on their favourite game or app for a few days.”.
