Screen Use Is the New Smoking

Feeling like your child is glued to their screen - and spiralling? You're not imagining it. A brand-new meta-analysis of nearly 300,000 kids reveals something alarming: screen time isn't just a symptom of emotional struggles… it’s making them worse. In this Doctor’s Desk deep dive, Dr Justin Coulson breaks down the research and shares three critical parenting strategies that can break the cycle.

KEY POINTS

• A meta-analysis of 117 studies (292,739 kids!) shows screen use leads to increased emotional and behavioural problems—and kids who are already struggling are more likely to turn to screens.
• Gaming has the most harmful effects, especially when time limits are exceeded.
• There’s a reciprocal relationship between screen use and emotional struggles—each one fuels the other.
• The screen trap is real—even highly self-aware adults get caught.
• The key isn’t blame or punishment—it’s collaboration, connection, and compassion.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

"We need to question the gaming industry’s design, not our children’s character."

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin (2025)
• Yesterday’s episode with Dr Brad Marshall on gaming disorder and smartphone overuse

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Question the system, not the child: Open conversations with kids about how games and social media are engineered to capture attention and exploit vulnerabilities.
2. Collaborate on screen use limits: Use the 3 E’s: Explore, Explain, Empower. Involve kids in setting family screen guidelines focused on what they gain, not what they lose.
3. Replace screens with real connection: Prioritise family time, hobbies, nature, and friendships. The more involved you are, the less likely screens will dominate.
4. Get curious about unmet needs: Ask: What is my child seeking from this screen? How can I help them meet that need in real life?

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