A video buys you some peace while you wash up after dinner, but bedtime becomes another battle.
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. For these four families, managing screen use was a challenge – until they took small steps to make a change.
Mr Seah’s Story: Breaking the Screentime Cycle
Getting kids to settle down can feel like herding kittens. Mr Seah Kok Yong admits that the screen saved him – and his three boys – much grief at mealtime. “We would give them the screen when we needed them to stop running around,” he says.
He thought it was harmless. Feeding time was more fuss-free, and they were picking up vocabulary too.“The nursery rhyme videos taught them English better than I thought I could,” he adds.
But over time, his sons – 12-year-old twins and a 9-year-old – became increasingly hooked. “They would always demand for more. Once the screen was in their hands, it’s very hard to take it back,” he recalls. His boys became engrossed in YouTube videos and Roblox, sometimes staying up past midnight.
The turning point came when his youngest son, Kaydus, received a Health Plan booklet at school under the Grow Well SG initiative. The booklet provided structured guidance on healthy habits – including the importance of at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep.
During his health screening in Temasek Primary School, the nurse recommended Primary 3 Kaydus: Fewer bubble teas, use screens less, and get to bed earlier.
“We thought, just try something different. Anything to break the cycle,” says Mr Seah. He and his wife decided to restrict screen use to weekends only. On weekdays, they introduced board games, badminton, cycling and even traditional games like five stones and pick-up sticks.
Mr Seah and his sons getting some fresh air and movement with a game of badminton.
To their surprise, it worked. “Slowly, we noticed they don’t ask for the screen so much anymore. And Kaydus is more alert. I felt like their soul returned to their body,” chuckles Mr Seah. “Last time when we asked them a question, they just wouldn’t reply because they’re engrossed in their phone. Now they talk to us!”
Ms Nurhaslinda’s Story: From Screens to the Outdoors
For Ms Nurhaslinda Wati, an early childhood educator, screens were never a big problem – until the Covid-19 years.
Ms Nurhaslinda and her family enjoying the great outdoors together; a good way to get some Vitamin D and expend the kids’ energy.
The family had always enjoyed going outdoors. But when school, work and play all moved online, they were using screens a lot, and had not enough physical activity.
The worst part? Bedtime battles. “Our eyes are tired, but our minds are overstimulated,” she recounts. “They threw more tantrums than normal.”
Determined to break the cycle, her family forced themselves outdoors. They picked up rollerblading, skateboarding and even did household chores together. “It took four to five months for our bodies to realise we’re okay without screens,” she says. “Go slow. You don’t have to totally remove screens, but you can’t remove them without replacing them with other activities.”
Instead of using the iPad to keep her three kids – an 11-year-old, 9-year-old, and 7-month-old – occupied while cooking, she now involves them in the kitchen. “Parents could start by offering simpler tasks like washing vegetables. I’d fill a tub, give the kid a head of cabbage and let them go at it. Yes, they get all wet, but I’d rather that than being addicted to a screen.”
Mr Ong’s Story: Making Mealtimes Screen-free
Father of two, Mr Junior Ong, generally avoids using screens during mealtimes. But on days when the children were especially tired and restless, he found that a short video – just 15 minutes – could help settle them enough to eat. “When they are watching the screen, they eat whatever is in front of them,” he says. “But it’s partly because they aren’t even registering what they’re eating.”
He and his wife realised the screen was a double-edged sword for their children, now 8 and 5. When his daughter’s school, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School (Primary), introduced the Health Plan, it reaffirmed what he and his wife had suspected: They needed to set firmer boundaries.
They started small. Screens were no longer allowed during meals. They also introduced a bedtime routine of reading together before sleep. “There’s still struggle though,” Mr Ong admits. “We don’t always succeed. But at least we try.”
Besides swimming and cycling, the Ong family occasionally chases birdies on the course.
Mr Hakim’s Story: Role-modelling Healthy Habits
Studies show that children mimic their parents’ screen habits. So, this father made a mental rule: No screens when spending time with his daughter, Kim Mariyam, who’s in Primary 2 at Fuhua Primary. “I want to take every opportunity to watch my daughter grow,” says Mr Muhammad Hakim Bin Ahmadjirony.
It may get a little messy, but Mr Hakim and Mariyam find it fun to put Science concepts into practice with everyday items at home.
Taking reference from the Health Plan, Mr Hakim introduced a structured routine for using devices, such as setting a hard stop at 9pm. “We teach Mariyam that with discipline comes freedom,” he says. “When you’re disciplined in how you spend your time, you’re actually freer to do the things you enjoy.”
To wind down for the night together, Mariyam and her parents read books together before hitting the hay.
What Worked for These Families?
While each family took a different approach, here are four practical takeaways that helped them successfully reduce screen use:
- Limit screen use gradually. Start with small rules – like no screens during meals – before making bigger changes.
- Replace screens with engaging activities. Board games, outdoor play and even cooking together can be great alternatives.
- Be patient and consistent. It takes time to break a habit, but small changes add up.
- Lead by example. If parents limit their own screen use, children are more likely to follow.
The Grow Well SG initiative supports families in building healthier routines. Through personalised Health Plans, students receive practical advice tailored to their lifestyle – whether it’s improving sleep, reducing screen use or making healthier choices.
Mr Hakim sums it up best: “It’s never too late to change.”
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