Rethinking Screen Time: Why Digital Wellness Matters More

Technology is woven into every aspect of our kids' daily lives, making digital wellness an essential conversation in homes and schools. While many schools have embraced digital citizenship programs, the focus still often revolves around one question I hear in every parent session:

“How many hours should my child be on a device?”

The reality is, screen time alone doesn’t tell the full story. Instead of focusing solely on the hours spent, we need to shift our conversations toward passive vs. active consumption—because how kids use technology matters just as much as (if not more than) how much they use it.

The Problem With a "Screen Time" Mindset

Screen time discussions often feel like a numbers game: parents want a definitive time limit, but that doesn’t reflect the quality of their child’s screen use.

Dr. Kristy Goodwin, a leading expert in digital wellbeing, reminds us that screens can be beneficial when used for learning, creativity, and connection. It’s not about demonizing technology but about helping kids develop healthy digital habits that serve them long-term.

Passive vs. Active Consumption: The Real Question

Not all screen time is created equal. The key is distinguishing between passive consumption—where kids consume without engaging—and active consumption, where they create, connect, or learn.

Passive Consumption:

• Passive Consumption (Mindless Tech Use)

• Endless scrolling through social media or YouTube

• Binge-watching shows with autoplay enabled

• Playing video games without problem-solving or strategic thinking

• Consuming content without questioning sources or engaging critically

Active Consumption:

• Creating content (writing, making videos, designing projects)

• Participating in discussions (commenting with purpose, engaging in forums, advocating for causes)

• Learning new skills (coding, music production, science exploration)

• Connecting meaningfully (video chats, collaborating on projects, supporting peers online)

One day, I thought my son was endlessly scrolling—but he was actually watching science videos and sharing what he learned with us. That’s the difference between passive and active engagement.

Bringing Active Digital Engagement to Schools & Homes

Parents and educators can foster active consumption by making small, intentional shifts in how kids use technology.

At School:

• Integrate tech into projects that require problem-solving and creativity

• Encourage students to analyze content rather than just consume it

• Use friction in learning apps—do they help students reflect, or just drill skills?

At Home:

• Ask your child: "What are you doing on your device?" instead of "How long have you been on it?"

• Set up opportunities for creative tech use (coding, video editing, writing)

• Help kids recognize why autoplay exists and how to take control of their viewing

What About Gaming? Is it Active or Passive?

Gaming is one of the biggest debates in digital wellness. I struggled with it myself—until I dug into research and realized gaming isn’t inherently bad. Some games promote strategic thinking, collaboration, and even social-emotional skills.

So how do we evaluate gaming?

• Is your child problem-solving, strategizing, and learning through play? ✅

• Are they engaging with friends in positive ways? ✅

• Are they mindlessly playing without reflection? ❌

John Mikton, a digital education expert, provides fantastic insights on how gaming can be leveraged for learning rather than feared. You can check out his work here and follow him on Twitter @jmikton.

I also came across this chart by Dr. Bobo Blankson, which really put gaming and social behavior into perspective for me.

Moving Beyond Screen Time: Building Healthy Digital Habits

Instead of fearing technology, we need to help kids develop a balanced relationship with it. That means:

• Encouraging breaks and non-screen activities

• Teaching critical thinking about content consumption

• Modeling our own healthy digital habits (yes, that includes parents!)

Ready to Take Action?

Firstly, it's important to educate kids and students about the effects of excessive screen time in general on their health. We can do this by emphasizing the importance of physical activity and good sleep habits, as well as introducing the concept of passive vs. active tech use. 

Secondly, we can teach them about the importance of digital wellness and what that encompasses, such as taking care of our mental and physical health. We can encourage kids and students to take breaks from technology and engage in non-digital activities. 

• Start a conversation: Ask your child what they’re doing online and discuss passive vs. active tech use.

• Explore more resources: My website is packed with practical tools for parents and educators to support digital wellness at home and in the classroom.

• Join my community: Get regular insights on fostering healthy digital habits by subscribing to my membership or checking out my courses.

Prioritizing digital wellness means empowering our kids to use technology intentionally—because when they understand how they use tech, they can take control of their digital lives. Let’s make the conversation about more than just screen time. As Kristy Goodwin emphasizes, it's not about demonizing screens, but about using them in ways that support children's learning and development. 

Heather

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Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2021). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(1), 97-103.

Hutton, J. S., Dudley, J., Horowitz-Kraus, T., DeWitt, T., & Holland, S. K. (2020). Associations between screen-based media use and brain white matter integrity in preschool-aged children. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(1), e193869.

Goodwin, K. (2020). Digital Nutrition: Raising Balanced Digital Kids. Kristy Goodwin.