‘I Took My Kids’ Tablet Devices Away – Parenting Has Never Been Easier’

Screen time is a “mild form of dissociation” 

Speaking to HuffPost UK, therapist Keenan said the change does make sense. 

“From a child psychotherapist’s perspective, when children are on screens, they aren’t being present. They disconnect from their environment, including their caregivers/parents,” she began.

“It is a mild form of dissociation. Without devices, they naturally re-engage their senses through play, communication, etc, which helps regulate their emotions and behaviour… Limiting or reducing screen time can… increase a calmer, more cooperative environment and relationships.”

Indeed, a 2025 systematic review found that “increased screen time can lead to emotional and behavioural problems, and kids with those problems often turn to screens to cope”.

With that said, screen time doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing issue.

The American Academy of Paediatrics has pulled away from suggesting exact screen time limits for kids, because “the reality is that most kids spend far more than two hours a day on screens, and not all screen time is equal”.

Instead, they say, it’s a good idea to build a balanced plan based on your family’s needs (for the Reddit poster, that seems to involve a much more relaxed approach to tablets on the weekend).

“If you are worried about the amount of time your child spends on screens, embed balance by creating attainable boundaries, increasing real-world connections and being a good role model yourself regarding your screen time,” Keenan ended.