Why the “Time” in “Screen Time” Is the Wrong Question

By Mrs Hudson-Findley (Director of Digital Learning, Enterprise and Sustainability)

When people talk about digital wellbeing, the conversation often starts with one question: “How many hours are too many?” It sounds sensible, but it misses something important. Two hours spent video-calling family, creating music, or researching a project is not the same as two hours endlessly scrolling or watching short-form videos.

What matters more than the clock is what is happening on the screen and how it is being used. Is the user creating or just consuming? Thinking or just reacting? Learning or just filling time?

Most devices already give a useful window into this. Apple’s Screen Time and Android’s Digital Wellbeing tools show not just how long a device is used, but which apps dominate that time. Looking at that breakdown over a week often tells a more meaningful story than a single daily total.

A simple reflection question helps too:
“What did you do on your screen this week that you could not have done without it?”

That shifts the focus to intention and provides possible conversation starters at home.
In a digital world, healthier habits grow from awareness, not just limits.