Across many homes today, parents are grappling with a new parenting dilemma: children spending excessive time on phones, tablets, and gaming devices.
Experts warn that uncontrolled screen time among teenagers can lead to addiction-like behaviour, affecting sleep, academic performance, and family relationships.
For many families, the challenge is not just limiting device use, but finding a balance between technology and healthy daily routines.
For James and Lydia (not their real names), a couple living in Nairobi, the problem became clear when their 13-year-old son began spending nearly every free moment glued to a screen.
“At first we thought it was normal,” James said in a candid conversation. “Most kids his age have phones and play games online. But it slowly became something else.”
The couple noticed troubling changes. Their son stayed up late playing online games, struggled to wake up for school, and became irritated whenever they asked him to put the phone away.
Family conversations during dinner almost disappeared, replaced by silence as the boy focused on his device.
“We realised something was wrong when his grades started dropping,” Lydia recalled. “He was always tired, distracted, and defensive whenever we talked about reducing his screen time.”
Attempts to enforce strict rules initially led to more conflict. Arguments became frequent, and the parents felt they were losing control of the situation.
“We tried taking the phone away completely, but it only made him more rebellious,” James admitted. “That is when we realised we needed help.”
The couple eventually consulted a family counsellor who specialises in adolescent behaviour.
During several sessions, the parents learned that technology dependency among teenagers is increasingly common, especially when devices become the primary source of entertainment and social interaction.
The counsellor advised a gradual approach rather than punishment. The family introduced clear daily screen-time limits, technology-free family hours, and alternative activities such as sports and outdoor time.
Importantly, the parents were also encouraged to model healthy technology habits themselves.
“It was not an overnight change,” Lydia explained. “But slowly we started seeing progress.”
Today, their son still uses technology, but within agreed boundaries. The family has reintroduced shared activities like evening walks and weekend outings, helping rebuild communication at home.
For James and Lydia, the experience was a wake-up call.
“Technology is part of modern life,” James said. “But we learned that without guidance, it can easily take over a child’s life—and even affect the whole family.” Get The Full Story Here