Children today are growing up in a digital environment where screen-based technology is a
central part of everyday life. Since cell phones, tablets, laptops, and televisions are so common, kids are exposed to digital media at a young age.
While screens can offer educational and recreational benefits, there is growing concern about the influence of screen time on the child’s development. The impact of screen time on children has become an important area of research for parents, educators, and mental health professionals alike.
According to research, screen time can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the child’s age, the type of content viewed, and the length of exposure. For instance, a study conducted by Subhranshu Kar et al. on the impact of screen time on children concluded the following negative effects of excessive screen time: reduced attention span, difficulty focusing, delayed language acquisition, deficits in executive functioning, increased aggression, emotional
dysregulation, reduced mobility, and lower sleep quality.
A literature review conducted by Sophie Domingues-Montanari unveiled that extra screen time may lead to increased complaints of headache and back ache during early adolescence. It has also been associated with increased
unhealthy food and drinks consumption due to commercial advertising. Screen time was also reported as an independent risk factor for reduced psychological well-being.
Moreover, artificial intelligence chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini, etc. are also being used
across all age groups. Such tools have become firmly embedded in the daily lives of many children, serving purposes ranging from learning support to emotional expression and everyday conversation. The impact of AI on children is therefore becoming an increasingly relevant concern. A study conducted by Abir Nagata and Kenji J. Tsuchiya deduced that AI-mediated interactions can lead to a range of cognitive, behavioural and emotional consequences, from reduced critical thinking to anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance.
Another study
conducted by Shunan Zhang et al. found that excessive dependence on generative AI has been associated with diminished creativity, weaker independent problem-solving, and other adverse cognitive effects. Moreover, the use of AI also adds to the already mounting screen time that children indulge in.
Analog Parenting: Moving Away From Screen Time
Analog parenting is a growing parental philosophy that intentionally limits or replaces screen-based entertainment and learning with hands-on, real-world experiences for children. It is not about banning technology and AI forever or pretending the internet does not exist. It is about being thoughtful about choosing when and how technology enters a child’s life, rather than letting screen time fill every available moment by default. As awareness of the impact of screen time on children and the impact of AI on children grows, many families are turning toward this approach. It is based on the core beliefs that:
- Children learn best through playing, exploring, and real sensory experiences.
- Screen time cannot replace babysitting and rewards or become a default activity.
- Boredom is not a problem to be solved by screen time.
- Family connection, outdoor time, and unstructured play are non-negotiable parts of childhood.
When children engage in unstructured play, their brains are doing remarkable things. Therefore, analog parenting is actually about building the architecture of your child’s brain.
- Free, unstructured play where children make their own rules and solve problems is one of the most powerful drivers for prefrontal cortex development.
- When playing with physical materials (like clay, sand, grass, fabric, water, etc.), children engage multiple senses. This supports cognitive integration, the process by which the brain connects different types of information. This is also the neurological foundation for reading comprehension, math reasoning, and creative thinking.
- Playing with other children in unstructured settings requires negotiation, empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation—skills that can only be learnt through messy, frustrating, and joyful playing.
- Time in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and increases attention.
Making it Possible in the Modern World
Starting to incorporate analog parenting as a daily habit isn’t a dramatic or overextended commitment. It is a series of small, intentional choices that create more opportunities for connection, creativity, and presence in everyday life. This approach can help reduce the negative impact of screen time on children while creating healthier habits around technology use. Here is a roadmap to get you started!
Step 1: Baseline Assessment
Awareness is key in the journey of change. So, just observe your child and their AI or screen time for one week. Make notes about how many hours they are spending on the screen, what type of content they are consuming, and what activities or hobbies they have forgotten about. This assessment can also help parents understand the impact of AI on children in their everyday routines.
Step 2: Screen-Free Zones and Times
Start by designating areas where screens are not allowed rather than enforcing strict limits. For instance, make the dinner table a screen-free zone, the bedroom a screen-free space, or the first hour after coming back from school a screen-free hour. These boundaries are easy to enforce and immediately create space for other activities.
Step 3: Stock the Environment for Play
Children often indulge in screen time because that is the easiest available option. The idea is to change what is available. Fill their play area with art supplies, building materials, puzzles, and other creative resources. Keep the things you want them to play with in accessible places. When analog options are visible and easy to access, children choose them far more often than parents expect.
Step 4: Replace Screen Time with Presence
The most powerful analog activity is not a toy or a kit. It is a present, engaged adult. Even 20 minutes of genuine, phone-free engagement with a child—reading, building, playing, or walking—has a measurable impact on emotional security, language development, and behavior.
Step 5: Be Gradual and Celebrate Small Wins
Attempting to completely eliminate screen time overnight is a recipe for conflict and burnout. Reduce screen time by 30 minutes per week. Celebrate the wins and notice what changes. Children adapt quickly when transitions are handled with warmth and consistency.
Resources for Unplugging
Choosing wooden toys over apps, board games over YouTube, dirt and sticks over screen time can have profound benefits. Here’s a guide to screen-free activities based on your child’s age group.
Ages 0–2: Sensory and Movement Play
- Tummy time on textured surfaces
- Water play
- Soft fabric books
- Wooden teethers
- Exploration baskets filled with safe objects
- Face-to-face talking, singing, and peek-a-boo
Ages 3–5: Creative and Imaginative Play
- Finger painting
- Playdough
- Pretend play: doctor kits, kitchen sets, and dress-up
- LEGO or wooden blocks
- Simple board games like Snakes and Ladders or matching games
- Gardening tasks like digging, planting seeds, and watering
- Nature walks
Ages 6–9: Skill-Building and Social Play
- Cooking simple recipes with the help of an adult
- Strategy board games and card games
- Team sports and outdoor games
- Arts and crafts projects
- Reading together before bed
Ages 10–12: Independence and Purpose-Based Play
- Journaling or creative writing
- Learning a musical instrument
- Volunteering
- Cooking with minimal help
- Map reading and hiking
- Building complex models such as architecture or engineering kits
Creating an Analog-Friendly Home Environment
When your home is designed to make activities easy and appealing, children naturally gravitate toward them and forget all about their screen time. Creating these spaces can help offset both the impact of screen time on children and the growing impact of AI on children by encouraging meaningful engagement with the real world. Here are practical ways to set up an analog-friendly space:
- Open shelves to keep games, art supplies, puzzles, and other materials visible and within reach.
- Create a reading corner with a small bookshelf, cozy seating, and good lighting to encourage reading.
- Set up an art station with a low table and supplies such as paper, crayons, scissors, and glue that are always available. This signals that creativity is always welcome.
- Keep an outdoor box near the door with chalk, bubbles, jump ropes, and outdoor toys to make going outside feel spontaneous and easy.
- Create a family game shelf with games in visible and accessible locations, making family game time a regular part of everyday life.
Understanding the impact of screen time on children and the impact of AI on children is not about fearing technology but about using it intentionally and responsibly. By creating opportunities for play, creativity, connection, and real-world experiences, parents can help children develop the cognitive, emotional, and social skills they need to thrive. In a world where screen time and AI are becoming increasingly integrated into daily life, maintaining a healthy balance remains the best way to minimize the negative impact of screen time on children and provide support in navigating the evolving impact of AI on children.
Photo Credits:
First image: Rudzhan Nagiev
Second image: Daria Kolpakova
Citations
Domingues‐Montanari, S. (2017). Clinical and psychological effects of excessive screen time on children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(4), 333–338.
Kar, S. S., Dube, R., Goud, B. K. M., Gibrata, Q. S., El-Balbissi, A. A., Salim, T. A. A., & Fatayerji, R. N. M. A. K. (2025). Impact of screen time on development of children. Children, 12(10), 1297.
Nagata, A., & Tsuchiya, K. J. (2026). “Screen Time” to “AI Time”: AI Use and Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Epidemiology, 36(3), 120–121.
Nonye. (2026). The Analog Childhood Movement. Raising Smiles.
https://raisingsmiles.co.uk/the-analog-childhood-movement/
Zhang, S., Zhao, X., Zhou, T., & Kim, J. H. (2024). Do you have AI dependency? The roles of academic self-efficacy, academic stress, and performance expectations on problematic AI usage behavior. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 34.
Sakshi
About the author
Sakshi is a clinical psychologist with a deep passion for understanding human behavior, a strong drive for research, and a keen eye for psychological intricacies. Committed to continuous learning, she seeks to explore every facet of psychology, from theory to practice, to better support and empower individuals. With a curiosity that fuels her pursuit of knowledge, she strives to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, making psychology more accessible and impactful.
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