A leading psychologist who studies children and digital screens has stepped forward with a deeply personal revelation: despite his expertise, his greatest regret as a parent was not doing more to limit his own children’s screen time. This admission, based on the latest research and expert reflection, is sparking vital discussions among Thai families and educators concerned about the growing influence of smartphones and digital devices on the next generation. The issue resonates across borders, but carries unique urgency in Thailand, where digital adoption among youth is surging and parents struggle to navigate the rapidly changing landscape Inc.com, MSN.
Why does this matter for Thai readers today? Digital screen time, including smartphones, tablets, and gaming, has become an almost inseparable part of Thai childhood and adolescence, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated online learning. Yet, as new research highlights, excessive exposure to screens is not without risks. Experts now warn of rising academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges linked to high screen time, and fresh evidence suggests that the quality of parental guidance can significantly influence a child’s health, happiness, and success.
Recent international studies provide a sobering backdrop. For example, a 2025 study examining school children found that heavy screen time correlates with increased anxiety, behavioral problems, and decreased academic performance PubMed. Similarly, a systematic review of parental technology use in a child’s presence—often called “technoference”—revealed that children whose parents are frequently distracted by devices are more likely to struggle with developmental and emotional issues. These findings echo concerns of psychologists like bestselling author and social psychologist Professor Jonathan Haidt, who in his 2024 book “The Anxious Generation” warns that the “great rewiring of childhood” tied to smartphones and social media is fueling a global epidemic of youth mental health problems Wikipedia.
Quoting a leading psychologist, “I wish I had set firmer boundaries with screens—not just for my children, but for myself as a parent. Even small choices, like removing phones from mealtimes and bedrooms, would have made a difference.” Another child psychologist adds, “The story is not just about children’s screen habits, but also about the messages parents send through their own behaviors. When parents are constantly on their devices, it sets a powerful example.” These admissions are mirrored by findings in recent academic reviews, which suggest parental modeling—whether by reducing their own screen time or setting clear household rules—makes a critical impact on children’s digital habits and overall wellbeing PubMed, PTU Meta-Analysis.
For Thai families, the implications of this research are both timely and profound. Recent reports indicate that Thai children as young as two are being handed smartphones, often as a way to calm tantrums or occupy them during family gatherings and temple events—a trend supported by a 2023 survey from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education’s digital transformation push, while offering crucial access to online resources, has left many parents unsure how to balance technology’s benefits against its potential harms. Thailand’s status as one of Southeast Asia’s most connected societies means these dilemmas land squarely on the average Bangkok or upcountry family table.
Thailand’s relationship to childhood discipline and education provides important historical context. Traditionally, play-based learning—through temple fairs, outdoor games, or crafts—formed the backbone of early childhood experiences. But as screen-based entertainment grows ever more accessible, these time-honored practices risk being overshadowed. In the words of one senior Thai educator, “We need to bring back more playful, interactive, and family-focused activities to counter digital overexposure. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a matter of child development.”
Today’s research makes clear that future trends will hinge on both government policy and community action. Experts forecast rising mental health challenges for digitally saturated youth unless significant changes are made soon. Some advocate for national guidelines on screen time, akin to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which limits recreational screen use for children aged 2–5 to one hour per day of high-quality programming, and calls for parents to co-view media whenever possible. Others urge schools to adopt stricter phone bans—an approach advocated by Professor Haidt, who suggests providing only basic “feature phones” on school grounds, a proposal now being deliberated in some districts internationally Wikipedia – Jonathan Haidt.
But what can Thai parents do, practically speaking? The consensus is growing: start with small, consistent steps. Remove devices from family meals and bedrooms. Establish screen-free hours during weekends, Buddhist holidays, and festivals. Foster more offline play and storytelling—whether at home, in parks, or community centers. Critically, model responsible digital habits as adults, since children learn as much from what parents do as from what they say.
This lesson, drawn from the personal regret of a world expert, offers a powerful reflection point for every Thai family navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. As a leading Thai pediatric specialist notes, “It’s never too late to reset routines. What matters most is intentionality—making the conscious choice for healthier, happier childhoods, however late we start.”
For further reading and the scientific evidence supporting these recommendations, see Screen time exposure and academic performance, anxiety, and behavioral problems among school children (2025), Parental Technology Use Systematic Review (2025), and Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” (Wikipedia).