A renowned psychologist who studies children and digital screens shared a personal confession: his greatest parenting regret isn’t about work, but about not better limiting his own children’s screen time. This candid reflection, informed by current research, sparks important conversations among Thai families and educators about smartphones, tablets, and gaming. The message travels beyond borders, yet it carries a special urgency for Thailand, where young people increasingly embrace digital devices.
Why this matters for Thai readers today. Screen time has become a near-constant part of childhood in Thailand, accelerated by online learning during the Covid-19 era. Yet new evidence links excessive screen use with academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Experts also emphasize that the quality of parental guidance can shape a child’s health, happiness, and future success.
Global evidence provides a sobering backdrop. A 2025 study on schoolchildren found that heavy screen time correlates with higher anxiety and behavioral issues, as well as lower academic performance. A broader review on parental technology use—often called technoference—shows that kids exposed to parents who are frequently distracted by devices may face developmental and emotional difficulties. These findings echo concerns raised by psychologists worldwide, including insights discussed by Professor Jonathan Haidt in his 2024 book The Anxious Generation, which argues that the digital shift is influencing youth mental health on a global scale.
A leading psychologist emphasizes personal boundaries: “I wish I had set firmer limits with screens—not just for my children, but for myself as a parent. Small steps, like keeping phones away from meals and bedrooms, could have made a difference.” Another child psychologist adds that parental behavior matters: when adults are constantly on devices, they model what children think is normal. These observations align with recent academic reviews showing that parental modeling and clear household rules strongly influence children’s digital habits and well-being.
For Thai families, the implications are timely and tangible. Thai children are increasingly handed smartphones at younger ages, sometimes to soothe tantrums or occupy them during gatherings and temple events, a trend highlighted by national health surveys. Meanwhile, Thailand’s digital transformation in education brings broad access to online resources but also raises questions about how to balance benefits with potential harms. Thailand’s place as a highly connected society means these discussions touch every family in Bangkok and beyond.
Thai traditions also shape responses to digital life. Historically, play-based learning—from temple fairs to outdoor games and crafts—has formed the core of early childhood experiences. As screens become more pervasive, communities worry that time-honored practices could wane. A senior educator in Thailand voices the need to revive more playful, interactive, and family-centered activities to counter digital overexposure and support healthy development.
Future trends depend on policy and community action. Experts project rising mental health challenges among digitally saturated youth unless changes occur soon. Some advocate for national guidelines on screen time, echoing pediatric recommendations that recreational screen use for young children should be limited to age-appropriate, high-quality programming, with parents co-viewing to maximize learning. There are ongoing discussions about stricter school policies on phone use, with some districts considering basic mobile options on campus to reduce distraction.
What can Thai parents do now? The practical guidance is simple and actionable: begin with small, steady steps. Create screen-free meals and bedrooms, establish dedicated screen-free hours on weekends and during special observations, and encourage offline play and storytelling in homes, parks, and community spaces. Most importantly, model responsible digital habits. Children learn a great deal from what adults do—so visible, healthy tech use matters as much as rules.
This reflective lesson from a world expert offers a meaningful prompt for Thai families navigating the digital era. A respected Thai pediatric specialist notes that it’s never too late to reset routines. The key is intentionality—choosing healthier, happier childhoods, even if changes start gradually.
For further evidence supporting these recommendations, consider recognized research on screen exposure and child outcomes, including studies on parental technology use and the broader discussion of youth mental health. Data from leading institutions continues to contribute to this evolving conversation.