Finding Balance: Technology & Children
, by Ester Hilmarsdottir, 3 min reading time
Technology today is extraordinary. It connects us, entertains us, and opens doors to learning and innovation. But much of it is designed with one purpose: to capture attention, not to nurture well-being.
Much of the technology we use daily — social media, apps, games, and streaming platforms — is designed with a single purpose: to capture our attention and hold it for as long as possible. Not necessarily to educate us, strengthen relationships, or support our well-being.
The Hidden Costs of Screen Time
Technology is not neutral. It impacts our children, our thoughts, our self-image, our health, and even our democracies.
- Social media can feed insecurity, comparison, isolation, and low self-esteem.
- Screens call for our attention, distract us, drain our energy, and disconnect us from the present moment.
- Children can become glued to endless scrolling, missing out on conversations, outdoor adventures, and the simple joys of real life.
Sometimes the answer isn’t to “use technology better.” Sometimes the healthiest choice is to switch it off: To put down the phone. To choose conversations over notifications. To give our families the gift of being present.
Setting Family Rules
One of the best ways to find balance is to set clear, simple screen rules as a family. Not rules just for children, but for parents too.
Here are some examples families have used successfully:
- No phones in bedrooms — not just at night, but during the day too.
- No phones at the dinner table — mealtimes are family time.
- Phones charge overnight in a shared space (not in bedrooms).
- No phones while watching TV together — one screen at a time.
- No games or social media in the car — only music or navigation.
By writing rules down, keeping them visible, and making them realistic, many families report less conflict about screen use and a healthier digital balance.
Technology Should Serve Us — Not the Other Way Around
We should use technology when it supports us. We should step away from it when it harms us. The key is to remember the following: We use technology; technology should not use us.
StoryPhones: Screen-Free Entertainment for Children
Nothing will replace engaging in real-world playtime with our kids, real-world conversations with loved ones and healthy activity such as outdoor movement like bike rides, walks etc. with our kids. But when you need to entertain the young ones in other ways, it helps to replace some screen time with engaging, screen-free options. Finding balance doesn’t mean removing fun.
StoryPhones let kids enjoy captivating stories, music, and educational content — all without a screen. Perfect for:
- Bedtime listening, free from blue light and distractions
- Travel and on-the-go fun, keeping kids entertained in a healthier way
- Everyday play, sparking imagination through listening rather than scrolling
And because they double as high-quality Bluetooth headphones, StoryPhones are flexible enough for family life.
By setting boundaries around technology and choosing screen-free alternatives like StoryPhones, families can protect well-being, encourage imagination, and create space for real connection.
