A renowned child-development psychologist has publicly reflected on his biggest parenting regret, offering a timely lesson for Thai families navigating the digital era. The confession arrives amid growing concerns about youth mental health, device addiction, and the evolving nature of childhood in Thailand.
The expert—an esteemed professor and researcher in child development and digital media—admits that his greatest parenting regret was not enforcing firmer limits on his own children’s smartphone and social media use. His candid reflection resonates with many Thai households, where smartphones are integral to education, entertainment, and daily life, especially after the Covid-19 shift to online learning. The question now is what this personal lesson means for families here and around the world.
Over the past decade, researchers worldwide have warned that heavy screen exposure correlates with heightened anxiety, depression, and challenges in social and emotional development. In his recent book, The Anxious Generation, the psychologist argues that the smartphone era—and a decline in unsupervised play—has reshaped childhood in ways that affect mental health. He has spoken about these ideas at major forums and advocates for reducing smartphone use in schools while promoting simpler, feature-limited phones for students.
Key data from his research show rising anxiety and depression among children and teens since the late 2000s, aligning with widespread smartphone adoption. These devices often serve as portable entertainment, social hubs, and status symbols, making responsible use complex. In Thailand, studies from Mahidol University and other health agencies report similar patterns: students report increased screen time, sleep disturbance, classroom distraction, and a worrying uptick in cyberbullying.
Experts stress that while screens offer many educational and social benefits, a lack of clear regulation at home and in schools can lead to overexposure. The psychologist cautions against blaming technology itself; rather, it is how it is allowed to dominate daily life. He acknowledges his past leniency—driven by a wish to grant his children similar freedoms to their peers—which may have curtailed opportunities for undistracted play, creativity, and deep friendships.
Policy voices in Thailand emphasize balancing technology’s benefits with its risks. A senior official from the Ministry of Education notes that schools struggle to integrate digital advantages with well-being education. Collaboration between parents and schools is essential to establish meaningful guidelines. Other Thai child psychologists urge that rising mental health challenges and digital dependence among youth should be treated as a public health priority, aligning with the psychologist’s findings.
Why this matters for Thai society? Thai culture traditionally values outdoor play, strong family ties, and in-person social interaction. Yet urbanization has limited unsupervised play, often replaced by time spent indoors with screens. Thailand’s high mobile internet penetration, affordable devices, and popularity of LINE and TikTok intensify the smartphone draw. A policy advisor from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency notes that teen smartphone use is widespread in the country, and without proactive measures, long-term effects could resemble those seen in other regions.
There is growing momentum for reform. Some Bangkok schools are experimenting with basic, non-smart devices on campus, while nationwide digital literacy campaigns are being piloted. Community efforts—through Buddhist temples and youth centers—are reviving nature-based activities, traditional games, and mindfulness to provide healthier alternatives to screen time.
Parents remain at the forefront of change. The psychologist urges clear, early boundaries around technology, not waiting for harms to appear. Practical steps for Thai families include designated device-free periods at home, promoting outdoor play and hands-on activities, and modeling balanced digital habits. Schools can introduce well-being-focused digital literacy curricula and adjust schedules to emphasize social interaction and physical activity alongside tech-based learning.
The message may come from a single voice, but its implications are broad. For Thai mothers, fathers, and educators, the takeaway is clear: proactive, communitywide action is essential to protect the next generation from the unintended harms of excessive screens.
Key references and further context come from research on children and screens and from discussions at major media and education forums, with integrated insights from Thai health and education authorities.