Practice What You Preach: Are You Setting the Right Screen Time Example for Your Kids?

"No phones at the dinner table."

You’ve had enough screen time for today."

Go play outside instead of being glued to a screen."

Sound familiar?

As parents, we set these rules with the best intentions. We want our kids to develop healthy screen time habits, be present, and engage with the world beyond a glowing rectangle. But let’s be honest—if our kids mirrored our screen habits exactly, would we be okay with it?

We like to believe that our screen time is different. It’s work. It’s important. It’s just a quick reply. But to a child, all screens look the same.

Children don’t just listen to what we say. They watch what we do. They notice:

• That we check our phones at red lights.

• That we scroll through emails while they’re talking to us.

• That we bring screens into spaces where we tell them not to.

To us, these moments feel small. To them, they’re the norm.

Now, ask yourself—if someone tracked your screen time today, would you feel comfortable showing it to your child?

Ever noticed how kids mimic the smallest things—like the way you sip your coffee or the phrases you say without realizing? Now apply that to screen habits.

• If they see you reaching for your phone at the slightest pause in conversation, won’t they do the same?

• If they watch you scroll endlessly when you’re stressed, aren’t they learning that distraction is a coping mechanism?

• If you tell them to limit screens while staying glued to yours, aren’t they learning that rules are flexible?

It’s not about guilt—it’s about awareness.

A Challenge for Tonight: Are You Up for It?

Before enforcing another "no screens" rule, try this:

• Hand your phone to your child. Ask them to check your screen time tracking for the day.

• Let them call you out. Ask if they’ve ever felt ignored because of your phone.

• Set a shared boundary. Instead of “no screens for you,” try “no screens for us” during family time.

You might be surprised by what you learn.

Technology is deeply woven into our lives, and it’s unrealistic to abandon it altogether. But what we can do is reshape our habits to create a healthier relationship with it—one that our children can learn from.

So the next time you remind your child to put their phone away, maybe—just maybe—set yours down first. Because they’re watching. Always.

Also read: https://www.souloxy.com/post/shocking-truth-how-screen-time-tracking-on-iphone-or-android-can-save-your-child-from-digital-addic