We’ve all been there—the moment when the room’s quiet glow isn’t from candles or lamps, but from the tiny rectangle of light in our child’s hands. We’ve all exchanged that nervous glance with our partner, silently asking, ‘Is this too much?’ Let me tell you: That moment, where we’re both holding our breath, is where we’re becoming parents. Not just for today, but for this new world they’re growing into.
The Screen That Tugged My Heart
Remember when even the smallest things—like how they’d ask for ‘one more episode’—felt like a war? We’ve negotiated, bargained, and yeah—sometimes even regretted those moments.
But then, watching her hold the device while they huddled close—that drawing of the dog they’d made together still visible on her lap—I realized. Those screens aren’t just babysitters. They’re bridges to a world of ‘why?’ and ‘look at this!’ and—for the first time—’I can show you, Dad.’
It creates a new kind of learning. Not just what they need to know, but how we can share it.
The Art of Stumbling
Parenting in the digital age wasn’t something we were trained for. We’re tech troubleshooters now, fumbling through app permissions, wondering if we’re the ‘bad guys’ for setting controls.
We’ve both felt that guilt—the unspoken ‘what if we’re ruining them?’ when they’re deep in the Cocomelon universe. But here’s what I’ve learned: That moment of hesitation? That’s not failure. It’s your instinct to protect them. And that’s exactly where we need to start.
Screen Time: The Unspoken Conversation
Turns out, the best parental controls aren’t just on devices. They’re in the way you model the balance. We’ve made it a thing—to pause, glance at the family game night on the table, and say, ‘After this screen, we’re all hands on the puzzles.’
No guilt. Just a gentle pivot. We’re showing them—not just telling them—how screens can be paused, not powerless.
Parenting in the digital age? We’re building it together—one boundary, one shared moment at a time.
The Quiet Strength in Their Digital Sprints
Have you ever noticed how they move between screens and real life now? They’ll pause the video to show you how they’re drawing, or how they’re building a tower—just like Peppa Pig does.
That switch isn’t a flaw. It’s a skill they’re mastering. We’re just here to nudge the balance. When you see that, you know—it’s not about taking away screens. It’s about expanding their world beyond them.
The Dance We’re Still Learning
One day, we’ll realize that our kids’ digital fluency isn’t a threat—it’s a language they’re native in, and we’re the ones learning to translate. We’re already doing that.
Every time you set a limit, but also explain why. Every time dad says, ‘Let’s watch together.’ It’s not a perfect balance. But it’s ours. And that’s enough.
Source: ISE 2026 Audio Visual Show To Light Creative Spark With Expanded Programme In Barcelona, Forbes, 2025-09-30