WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY....
IN THE WAR AGAINST SCREENS, WE’RE MISSING A CRUCIAL MENTAL HEALTH LESSON
Comment by MANJUL RATHEE, CEO and co-founder at BFB Labs W
e live in a world where much of our lives take place online. Whether through work, school or socialising, screen time is an inevitability for people of all ages. But digital devices are a particularly big draw for young “digital natives”: the current generation of children and teens who have grown up with screens.
According to Common Sense Media, children aged eight and younger spend almost two and a half
hours per day with screens. The same study also showed that three quarters of parents worry about screen time’s impact on their child’s mental health. Whilst these concerns are valid - and the negative impact of social media use in particular is clear - we do need nuance in the screen time debate.
Recently, much of the media attention around screens has focused on the harmful effects of screen time. The latest development is the discussion around mobile phone bans in schools, with the Children’s Commissioner urging the Government to leave the decision up to individual headteachers.
Yet, the reality of the issue is more complex than a proposed blanket ban suggests. A recent study found no evidence of a link between phone bans in schools and better student wellbeing. We must also remember that screen time and social media are not the same.
In order to move the conversation forward, we need to think about how we can leverage screen time for good. By tarnishing all screen time with the same brush, we are overlooking a key opportunity to meet children where they are, and missing a crucial mental health lesson.
Quality over quantity Not all screen time is created equal. While the harms of social media
use are well documented, less attention has been paid to other forms of screen time.
For instance, one review looked at fifty studies and concluded that further research was needed around the impact different types of screen time content had on wellbeing. The type of screen time matters.
While it’s clear that we don’t want children spending several hours a day on screens, there is an opportunity to use their engagement with digital devices to deliver positive experiences. Knowing that at least some daily screen time is difficult to eradicate, we can do more to shift how children are using screens, moving them away from social media to apps and activities from which they derive a genuine benefit.
The right kind of screen time
When used the right way, ‘positive’ screen time in moderation can promote learning, foster wellbeing and build resilience. Studies have shown that gamified learning can help to engage children, increasing their motivation and interest in the subject matter. The competition inherent in games makes learning more interesting. For instance, platforms like Kahoot and Quizlet have long been a common fixture in classrooms, helping to make learning fun and providing a break from traditional, analogue teaching methods.
Screens can also be part of the solution when it comes to supporting children’s mental health.
During the pandemic, digital solutions to social distancing became a lifeline for many looking to connect with others safely. And the right kind of screen time can help build resilience in young people: at BFB Labs, we’ve developed Lumi Nova, a gamified digital therapeutic which utilises psychoeducation and CBT techniques to help children overcome anxiety. Our NICE-approved smartphone app, delivered via schools and the NHS, has already helped over 10,000 children face their fears by guiding them through age-appropriate ‘quests’ designed to give them the tools to overcome challenges and build resilience.
Not only is positive screen time useful for children when they are young, digital literacy is important for their future, too. Digital skills are now essential to success in the workplace, with a Government report from 2019 declaring that digital skills were ‘no longer optional’. Growing up with digital tools that allow for creativity and facilitate cognitive development will help to create a generation of adults who can quickly adopt new technologies and thrive in a digital-first future of work.
The need for nuance
At present, the polarised debate around screens leaves little room for nuance. We need to strike a balance between recognising the harms of excessive screen time and harnessing it for good. The new generation of children, teens and young adults has grown up with screens in their lives. By meeting children where they are and focusing on positive digital solutions that can help and support them, we can help foster a healthier relationship between children and screens.
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www.education-today.co.uk May 2025
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