Student Wellbeing & Mental Health
From the Wellbeing Zone 🌿
Screen Time and the Developing Brain: What Parents Need to Know
Screens are now a part of everyday life. From learning and communication to entertainment and gaming, children today are growing up in a world where digital devices are everywhere. While technology offers many benefits, research continues to show that excessive screen time can have significant effects on a child's developing brain.
The human brain develops rapidly throughout childhood and adolescence. During these years, important neural connections are formed through real-world experiences such as conversation, play, physical activity, problem-solving, and social interaction. These experiences help children develop essential skills including attention, emotional regulation, communication, and executive functioning.
When screen use becomes excessive, it can displace many of these important developmental activities. Studies have linked high levels of recreational screen time with difficulties in attention, reduced sleep quality, increased anxiety, lower physical activity levels, and challenges with emotional regulation. Fast-paced digital content can also make it more difficult for some children to tolerate boredom, persist with challenging tasks, or engage in imaginative play.
Sleep is one area where screen time can have a particularly strong impact. The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps us feel sleepy. Children who use devices before bed often fall asleep later, sleep less deeply, and wake feeling less rested. Given the important role sleep plays in learning, memory, and emotional wellbeing, this can have a significant effect on overall development.
It is important to note that not all screen time is equal. Educational activities, creative projects, video calls with family members, and collaborative learning experiences can offer genuine benefits. The key is balance. Rather than focusing solely on the number of hours spent on screens, families should also consider the quality of the content, the purpose of the activity, and what screen time may be replacing.
As parents, our goal is not to eliminate technology but to help children develop healthy digital habits that will support their wellbeing now and into the future.
10 Tips for Reducing Screen Time
1. Create screen-free zones such as bedrooms and the dinner table.
2. Set clear daily limits for recreational screen use and be consistent.
3. Model healthy habits by reducing your own screen use when children are present.
4. Encourage outdoor play and physical activity whenever possible.
5. Offer engaging alternatives such as board games, crafts, books, or puzzles.
6. Establish a device curfew, ideally at least one hour before bedtime.
7. Use family activities to replace screen time, such as walks, cooking, or bike rides.
8. Turn off unnecessary notifications that encourage frequent device checking.
9. Help children recognise boredom as an opportunity for creativity rather than reaching for a screen.
10. Focus on connection over correction work with your child to develop healthy habits rather than relying solely on rules and restrictions.
Small changes can make a big difference. By creating a balanced approach to technology, we can help children enjoy the benefits of the digital world while protecting the healthy development of their brains, bodies, and relationships.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Neil Butler | Assistant Principal - Wellbeing
Upcoming Workshops / Other Information
Online Safety - ESafety Commissioner - Free Webinars for Parents and Carers
These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences.
NEXT WEEK - Yellow Ladybugs 2026 Conference – Reclaiming the Past to Shape the Future
Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals. This three-day event (2-4 June, 2026), Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender-Diverse Students at School and Beyond, brings together over 50 lived and professional perspectives from around the world. It’s led by an autistic-run charity that has always stood proudly for empowerment, understanding, and community. Together, we’ll explore how far we’ve come and how much further we can go through neuro-affirming, trauma-informed discussions that celebrate growth, belonging, and hope.
For more information -
Anglicare Parentzone Newsletter - Parenting in the East What's On Term 2 2026
News and information on programs, services, groups and events to support parents across the Eastern Region of Melbourne. Some of the upcoming (and free!) programs for Term 2 include Tuning in to Kids, Talking Teens, Dads Matter, Emotion Focussed Parenting & the Strengthening Parents Support Program (for parents & carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or neurodivergence - including ASD, ADHD & AuDHD) -
Podcasts of Interest
Pop Culture Parenting - Pop Culture Parenting — Guiding Growing Minds
Well, hello Anxiety - Podcast - Dr. Jodi Richardson
Parental as Anything - Parental As Anything with Maggie Dent and Bec Sparrow - ABC listen
The Imperfects - The Imperfects Podcast
ParentZone Pods
Podcasts for parents, carers and those who support others with their parenting. The ParentZone Teams are delighted to bring you TWELVE ParentZone Pods. Each Pod identifies and explores common issues parents bring to our parenting groups and offers strategies to try in these situations.
Podcast Series 1
Episode 1: Family Meetings
Episode 2: Dealing with Anxiety
Episode 3: Sibling Rivalry
Episode 4: Getting Children to Listen
Episode 5: How to Respond to Kids' Behaviour
Episode 6: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids
Podcast Series 2
Episode 1: Positive Discipline
Episode 2: School Refusal
Episode 3: Parenting our Teenagers
Episode 4: Meltdowns vs Tantrums
Episode 5: Couples Parenting Together
Episode 6: Dads Parenting Today
ParentZone Pods can be found on our website, Apple and via Spotify