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PARENTING TODAY IS pretty tough. The constant struggle of being “on” and engaged with our children can take its toll.
We reach the end of our tether while simultaneously reaching out for a screen to throw at the kids. This keeps them occupied long enough so we can go to the loo in peace or perhaps have a freshly made warm cup of coffee while flicking through our favourite TikToks.
But we instantly become riddled with guilt because everywhere we look, we see so-called experts telling us that we are frying our children’s brains. We might then weigh up our options and decide that we are happy to sacrifice a few of their brain cells to maintain our sanity.
It’s a familiar story up and down the country.
Recently, CyberSafeKids’ research found that a whopping 80% of primary school-aged children in Ireland have unsupervised access to devices in their bedrooms. Such findings are worrying, of course, but we are inundated with all sorts of advice about screen time, and it can be difficult to wade through it all.
Is screen time harmful? Can it be beneficial? The truth, as with many aspects of parenting, lies in nuance. While it’s tempting to paint screen time with a broad brush, lumping all digital engagement into a single category obscures an essential reality: the quality, content and context of screen use matter just as much as, if not more than, the duration.
From playground chatter to policy recommendations, screen time is often demonised as the root of modern parenting challenges. You see headlines warning of its impact on children’s mental health, attention spans and sleep patterns.
Those fear-laced messages spread like wildfire. Yet, oversimplified messages do little to equip parents with practical guidance. The idea that all screen time is equal is as flawed as suggesting that all food consumption is either wholly good or bad. Just as dieticians focus on balanced diets, it’s time for parents and policymakers to adopt a more sophisticated approach to digital diets.
Research underscores the importance of what children engage with on screens. Educational, interactive screen activities have been linked to positive developmental outcomes, while passive activities like scrolling social media or watching random videos are associated with negative ones. This distinction — between intentional, educational screen use and mindless consumption — is pivotal.
Think of screens as tools: a hammer can be used to build or destroy. Similarly, a video call with grandparents or an interactive educational app isn’t the same as hours spent watching unboxing videos on YouTube. Parents who co-view content with their children can turn screen time into an enriching, bonding experience rather than a solitary, isolating one.
Let’s not forget the benefits of technology. During the pandemic, screens became a lifeline for many families. They enabled children to continue their education, maintain social connections and explore hobbies.
Even now, a well-curated digital environment can introduce children to new languages, cultures and ideas. The key is in the curation — choosing content that fosters curiosity, creativity and learning.
Take my son, for example. Thanks to his favourite YouTube channel, he can now tell you everything you never wanted to know about ants — their tunnels, their queens and their social hierarchy — in such mind-numbing detail that you’ll start wondering why ants ever fascinated anyone in the first place. But hey, at least he’s learning!
For parents, the real challenge lies in striking a balance. Blanket bans or rigid rules are rarely the answer. Instead, fostering healthy screen habits involves:
It’s also important to consider external factors influencing screen use. Economic pressures, long work hours, and a lack of safe play spaces can lead to increased reliance on screens. Judging parents for their children’s screen habits without addressing these systemic challenges is neither fair nor productive.
Moreover, parental mental health plays a significant role in shaping a child’s screen habits. When parents are overwhelmed, screens often become a convenient babysitter. Offering support — whether through community resources or flexible work policies — can help families find healthier ways to manage digital engagement.
Screens are here to stay, and it’s about time we realise that we cannot ban our way out of this issue and move beyond over simplistic categorisation of good versus bad. We have a responsibility to empower parents with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape thoughtfully.
After all, technology is here to stay.
The question isn’t whether screens belong in our lives, but how we can integrate them in ways that enrich rather than detract from our children’s development. As parents, we’re not striving for perfection (that’s never a good approach!) but progress.
The next time you find yourself worried about your child’s screen time, ask not just how long they’ve been on a device, but what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with. By shifting the conversation from fear to empowerment, we can help our children — and ourselves — thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Afif El-Khuffash is a father of two, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital and host of The Baby Tribe podcast.
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Insult him all you will,but he’s a fine example of a businessman who doesn’t use political sway to amass his fortune unlike other people ,he isn’t a tax exile . Previous to ryanair it wasn’t possible to go on short breaks to exciting cities due to cost , the man is a legend and should be treated as such.
Say what you like about ryanair,but we,re after booking flights to manchester for 2 adults and two kids with ryanair for €160,same flights we,re coming in at over €500,and thus out of our budget,at union infested dinosaur aer lingus!
belive hes doing a new calendar next year of him kissing puppies. .
Whoa! Slow down, this is all too much too fast!!..
What will they have next, a toilet attendant?
A blackinthejax at 40,000 feet :)
They still won’t let you check in online more than 7 days in advance unless you pay extra for an allocated seat though – they’ll always find some new way of trying to wring more money out of people….
I don’t mind flying with Ryanair because they are so cheap and it’s your own fault if you end paying more than you should but one thing I hate about flying with any airline is young kids and babies with modern patents believing that there kids should be allowed express themselves with no consideration to other passengers so I hope this move by Ryanair won’t turn there planes into crèches and if does I hope they make the back or front of the plane family sections so the rest of us can have some peace..
Poor you! Just remember, of you are this annoying at this stage of your life, think about how annoying you probably were when you were a baby! You’re not the most important person in the world therefore don’t bitch about people taking kids on holidays. They also deserve down time.
My problems not really with kids it’s with rubbish parents who think the kids can do what they want.. Not all parents but a lot of them..
Irishoversea-Because you were never a baby or even cried! Get over yourself you clown!
I’m guessing your one of the parents I’m on about who can’t control your kids..
I am a frequent flyer and I have no idea what you are talking about. Irish kids are probably the best behaved in the world and so are their parents. In case a baby screams the parents usually apologise to the people around even I think there is no need for it. What are they supposed to do: smother the infant?
Maybe Ryanair will offer a crèche facility in the hold of the plane, this will resolve all of our problems.
Yes Irish kids are best in the world it’s foreign kids I have problem with.. Coming to our country taking our plane seats making a load of noise..
Also babies crying I can get over it’s the kids who can be controlled or should be but are not. I don’t see why planes can’t have family sections that’s all..
There was a 2 year old behind me on the flight home today. She was talking singing shouting she had everyone in stitches. They re kids that’s what kids do.
Irishoverseas, foreign kids and their parents get up your nose? Why? I thought you are overseas? Shouldn’t you be used to it then?
Because as you pointed out yourself Irish kids are the best in the world and foreign kids compared to our angels are awful..
That would probably be preferable to be honest!
Don’t cry
I have been a regular customer of Ryanair for +10 years. Because of Ryanair I was able to afford almost monthly trips to visit my elderly parents. It’s down to them that I can be a peace with their loss knowing that I did all that I could and spent all the time I could with them while they were alive and needed me. I have heard the criticisms over the years but can honestly say I have never had a problem either with the airline or the staff. If you make youself aware of the rules and stick to them, all will be fine. In fact I regret the recent changes which have resulted in higher fares (everything has a price).
I have also flown Aer Lingus and can attest to the fact that they are as much a “budget – no frills airline” as Ryanair but this is rarely reflected in the fare.
If only Ryanair flew into Heathrow.
Be happy they don’t. It’s a hellhole. If you want world hub connections then go via Schipol – and avoid UK APD at the same time.
Sure bar you pay for Heathrow Express you’ll be in central London as quick from any airport.
In fairness, Gatwick is only a 45 minute train from St. Pancras International. Heathrow isn’t much closer!
Gatwick isn’t bad actually.
I wonder will they let me use the same microwave to heat the hot food they give me on board?
I agree with the commentors above regarding the low fuel issue. I watched the Channel 4 Despatches episode and was so disgusted with the sensational, biased reporting that I complained to Channel 4. Ryanair has an unmatched safety record. All airlines have emergency landing due to poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances. I find Michael O’Leary’s manner unnecessarily abrasive at times BUT I can’t fault his business acumen or his company
That still doesn’t do anything about the screaming baby problem..
have you tried a soother.
I think irishoversea might need one..
I think you needed condoms
Charm offensive…will it work?…time will tell…at least he’s trying not to insult us…:-)..
I hope they put all the kids together e.g a family/kid zone
Hope he does not decide to reduce the amount of fuel onboard to compensate, three emergency landings was enough.
Experience all three did you? You poor thing!
Out of however many landings they have ever performed, only 3 have made an emergency landing because of fuel. That has to be the best safety record in Europe! Look at EI or BA and see how many emergency landings they made because of low fuel in a holding pattern!
Flew with Ryanair to Murcia a number of years ago, when infants were still free. Asked for the connecting belt to attach my son to my belt. Was being stalled a bit, only to be informed that there wasn’t one on the flight, even though they knew that we were coming. Their blatant disregard for my sons safety means we will never fly with them as a family again. And now they’re child friendly? I’ll believe it when I see it.
but you wont see it if your not intending to fly with them again . ;-)
@Barry. My monacle just fell into my earl grey upon reading your comment, I am truly horrified.
I certainly don’t think it is very appropriate to fly with an airline that is so frivolous with fuel. I certainly think this issue has affected ryanair and is the reason for all these radical changes.
Rachel
Rachel,
do you honestly think that the IAA and other aviation regulators would let them fly with a dangerous low level of fuel?
I take it you work for Aer Lingus or one of their competitors.
Now, Now Brian, no need to be abrupt. I don’t work for an airline Brian. I would not consider emergency landings due to lack of fuel to be very safe and this has certainly been the case with ryanair.
Rachel
Rachel, silly silly Rachel, guess who diverted to Shannon a couple of weeks ago due to low on fuel and a hold at Dublin, your beloved Aer Lingus, it happens to all airlines, they dont have an endless supply of fuel, I guess if you actually read and understood the report you would see that the Ryanair planes had plenty of fuel on board and that numerous different airlines all had fuel emergencies at the same time due to weather and Spanish ATC. But dont let the facts get in the way of your ignorance
@ Rachel. That’s crap. If you knew your facts you would know what happened was due to reasons beyond crew control. FR have a fantastic safety record and do not take any risks with fuel or safety, plus aviation authorities would take a dim view if they did.
No need to be patronising Aaron.
Don’t fly with them then. Sure you love wasting all your loverly dosh on AL
Rachel, please investigate the facts which are available online (google) before posting nonsense please.
Then maybe people wont be so patronising towards you.
You know that was all down to desperate weather at the time, there is only so many times you can circle around avoiding thunderstorms before you run out of fuel! That same day a flight from Chile made an emergency landing due to an engine failure (thanks to a, yeah you guessed it, lack of fuel!). That delayed the aircraft holding above Madrid even more. Ryanair done everything right that day in taking on the legal amount of extra fuel incase of delays, the weather, poor Spanish ATC & the LAN AIrlines emergency were hardly Ryanairs fault!
Can’t Fault Ryanair, Recent trip to Almeria, was flawless, comfortable, staff very pleasant, no complaints whatsoever.
One suggestion, as a promotional exercise, Ryanair should record remarks from regular Ryanair users to get the truth behind this airline, I bet all the begrudgers will be Surprised!
Guess we’ll have to find something else to get riled up about now that Ryanair are off the list. Don’t think it will be too hard…..
Wizz air.
I assume they’ll heat the bottle for free, but if there’s anything in the bottle, there will be a substatial handling charge per ml etc?
i read they will also allow cots to be stored in overhead bins thats means there will be less storage for the person who just brings on their case….so the passenger will have to put case in the hold so more money and baby changing facility read toilet or the tray that drops down for ur cuppa
where did you hear that ?
They allow for 90 pieces of carry on luggage, and any overflow is checked at the gate free of charge. So your point is invalid
Indeed Stephen Furlong… How interesting of you to declare there’s a subset of consumers who avoid Ryanair ‘for no reason’
“Anyone who thinks Ryanair flights are some sort of bastion of sanctity where you can contemplate your navel is wrong. We already bombard you with as many in-flight announcements and trolleys as we can. Anyone who looks like they’re sleeping, we wake them up to sell them things.” Micheal O’Leary
I can see myself running right out to hand money over to what must truly be an incompetent stockbroker encouraging investment in an airline industry and market he knows ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about.
So children who used to fly free will now fly at a reduced adults’ fee. Heat bottles but at what cost ? I have never had reason to think of Ryanair in a good light. This window dressing makes me even more suspect.
How about reducing the charge for needing to get your boarding pass printed at their desk ?
I used to fly Ryanair but got fed up of the many many extra charges and also of their ill chosen airports at which they land.
As for kids on board. Children free flights would be great. I love kids but a screaming child in an enclosed space is not my idea of enjoying a flight. Some kids scream so let them all have their own flights with their parents.
I bet the insulted current child brigade will take umbrage at that.
Someone has no idea of how to play the ‘Ryanair game’
Well done Michael O Leary!
Another free publicity stunt!
You are a genius!
Stop it now…it isn’t funny any more….Ryan-air …nice and cuddly …….I must have fallen through the magic mirror.
Ryanair have a new problem. People not seating in the right seats. Two of my last three flights, someone has been sitting in my seat.
I don’t make an issue of it, go to the middle of the plane tell the flight attendant and ask to seat at the emergency exit if it’s free, more leg room.
But seriously is it that people don’t know and being stupid that it allocated seating now. I
Took like 3.35 Ryanair flight from Manchester to Dublin today. Been doing so for the last year and number of times a year and today was the first time it was packed. Normally it’s under half empty. Yes lots of holidays. But a huge swing from nearly empty to packed full.
Pity the fees for allocated seating were not discounted before now, we paid €140 for our flights both ways just to make sure out young children were seated beside us, ridiculous.
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