From conflict to connection: New program helps Aussie families master screens safely

With more than seventy per cent of Australian children exposed to harmful online content and screen-related stress on the rise, Triple P’s groundbreaking free program – Triple P Online: Children and Screens – launches ahead of the school holidays, arming parents and carers with proven-to-work strategies against digital dangers while building a generation of healthy, happy kids.

Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said screen time management has become the number one health concern for parents and carers in Australia.

“Families are desperately seeking practical solutions to protect their kids from cyberbullying, online predators, and the negative impact on mental health linked to excessive screen use,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

"Childhood is precious, yet the average Australian child now spends over six hours daily on screens at home. That's over one-third of their waking hours staring at a device," she said.

“Too much time spent on screens can lead to ongoing challenges with sleep, behaviour, as well as impact social and emotional development.”

“The solution lies in empowering parents and carers with the evidence-based tools to confidently guide children to safely explore the digital world in a way that suits their own family.”

“Triple P Online: Children and Screens, helps parents and carers to identify common screen time challenges, why they happen and how to prevent them,” Carol said.

“It also offers practical tips for teaching healthy digital habits, managing conflict over screens, and supporting children to be safe online.” 

"With the Australian Government moving to delay social media for under-16s, parents and carers need these skills now more than ever to have the confidence to provide preventative digital wellbeing guidance,” she said.

Here are three practical things Triple P Online: Children and Screens can help families do now to build healthy screen time habits:

1. Show an interest in your child’s screen use. Talk with your child or watch what they’re doing while they’re engaged in an online activity. Show them you’re interested by asking about the rules of the game, what programs they are enjoying, or which friends they are interacting with. 
2. Check content is appropriate. Take some time to have conversations with your child about the content they’re accessing online. Keep it relaxed and try to avoid interrogating them with too many questions. Praise them when they make good choices and reassure them that you’re always there to help if they are confused, worried or upset by anything they experience online. 
3. Set a screen time schedule. As a family, plan daily or weekly routines for screen use to provide variety and predictability. For a healthy balance, replace some of the time you would normally spend on a device with something else like a creative pursuit, physical activity or time outside so your child can engage their brain in different and new ways. 

For families who may be concerned that their child’s screen use is impacting their mental health and wellbeing, try reaching out to your GP or a health professional for support. For children who are experiencing problems online, families can find helpful resources or report issues to eSafety Commissioner.

"Raising children in a digital world is a challenge for all parents and carers. Families don't need more judgment, just practical, age-appropriate support and strategies that are proven to work in homes across the country," Ms Markie-Dadds said.