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Child Safeguarding Statement
Some resources and activities may prompt a child to remember and potentially share an experience of harm. Make sure you’re familiar with your school's safeguarding policies and procedures so you can confidently report safety and well-being concerns.
Prepare students for the session by discussing: their right to be safe and respected; what to do if discussing online safety makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe; and how to seek help if they feel or have felt unsafe. Use this resource available on the website.
Tips & Resources
The Online Compulsion Risk Area: A Parent's Guide
Helping your child build healthy habits around screen time
You might be reading this because your child is learning about Compulsion as part of the eSmart Digital Licence program at school. Compulsion is one of four online risk areas. It's about helping children recognise when they need to take a break and build habits that support their wellbeing.
Introducing the Compulsion risk area
Key takeaways
Online safety is a shared responsibility between school and home, and it's an ongoing conversation with your child, not a one-time lesson.
Balance, not bans. The goal isn't zero screens. It's helping your child make conscious choices about how they spend their time.
Involve them in the process. Children who help set limits are more likely to stick to them and develop the self-awareness to manage their own time as they get older.
Small changes make a difference. Screen-free mealtimes or a five-minute warning before switching off can reduce friction and build better habits.
Self-regulation takes time. Many apps and games are designed to keep us engaged. This is a skill that develops gradually. Be patient with setbacks.
What parents should know
We've all lost track of time scrolling or watching "just one more episode." Children are no different, except they're still learning to recognise when it's time to stop.
Self-regulation is a skill that develops over time, and it helps to know that many apps and games are specifically designed to keep us engaged. It's not a character flaw; it's how the platforms work.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies reports that only 15 per cent of Australian children aged 5 to 12 meet screen-time guidelines, and screen use tends to increase significantly between ages 10 and 14.
The good news? Children who are involved in setting their own limits tend to get better at managing their time. And that's a skill that benefits them well beyond screens.
What compulsion risks look like at different ages
Children aged 4 to 7 have limited self-regulation capacity and rely on adults to manage their screen time. At this age, clear routines and boundaries are essential. The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommend no more than one hour of sedentary screen time per day for children aged 2 to 5.
Children aged 8 to 11 are developing self-regulation skills but still need support. They may resist ending screen time or lose track of time when engaged. This is the age to build awareness of their own patterns and involve them in setting limits. The guidelines recommend no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day.
Children aged 12 and older are seeking more independence, but self-regulation is still developing. Screen use is closely tied to social connection and relaxation, which can make it harder to switch off, especially at night.
Practical strategies for home
Focus on balance, not bans
Approach screen time like any other part of a healthy lifestyle. Framing it positively makes a difference.
You might say: "We want to make sure you have time for all the things that help you feel good, including screens, but also playing outside, reading, and being with family."
Create predictable routines
Set clear expectations around screen-free times (meals, homework, the hour before bed), screen-free zones (bedrooms, dining table), and transitions (a five-minute warning before screen time ends). Consistency reduces power struggles. Children do better when they know what to expect.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation's DigiTalk resource, Finding balance: becoming a screen smart family, includes a downloadable Screen Smart Plan template you can fill in together as a family.
Help them notice their own patterns
Build self-awareness by asking reflective questions.
You might ask:
"How do your eyes feel after gaming for an hour?"
"Do you notice a difference in your mood after scrolling for a while?"
Children who understand why balance matters are more motivated to practise it.
Use built-in tools together
Most devices have screen time tracking features. Set limits together rather than imposing them, review weekly usage as a conversation starter, and adjust as your child demonstrates self-regulation. The goal is to help them internalise these habits.
The eSafety Commissioner's parental controls guide has step-by-step instructions for different devices.
Make offline appealing
Sometimes children default to screens because they're bored. Keep alternatives accessible: art supplies, books, and games within easy reach. Plan regular family activities that don't involve screens and encourage hobbies beyond gaming or social media.
The conversations make a difference
When children are involved in setting limits rather than just having rules imposed on them, they're more likely to stick to those limits. And more likely to develop the self-awareness to manage their own time as they get older.
Families often notice fewer arguments about switching off, better sleep, and more time for other activities. But perhaps the biggest benefit is that your child learns to listen to their own body and make conscious choices about how they spend their time.
That's a skill that lasts well beyond childhood.
How this connects to other online risks
Healthy digital habits support all areas of online safety. When children aren't tired or overwhelmed by screens, they're better able to think before acting online and offline.
Content
Relates to thinking critically about online content.
Conduct
Relates to behaving respectfully online.
Contact
Relates to staying safe in online interactions.
FAQs
How much screen time should my child have?
There's no magic number. Focus on balance. Is your child sleeping well, staying active, spending time with family, and keeping up with responsibilities? If screens are crowding out other important things, it's time to adjust.
Should I ban my child from screens?
Bans rarely work and can make screens more appealing. Instead, build predictable routines with clear boundaries around when and where screens are used.
How can I help my child find a better balance with screen time?
Make offline activities more accessible and appealing. Join them in non-screen activities when you can, and involve them in setting limits so they feel some ownership over the balance. The eSmart Digital Licence is a free resource that helps educators teach children about finding balance from Foundation to Year 6, giving children more opportunities to discuss and learn in a trusted environment. Consider sharing it with your child's school.
How do I set screen time rules without arguments?
Involve your child in creating the rules. Use timers and warnings before transitions, keep routines consistent, and model healthy screen habits yourself. Children are more likely to follow limits they helped set.
Further reading and references
- Alannah & Madeline Foundation – Finding balance: becoming a screen smart family: A practical guide to creating a family screen smart plan, with a downloadable template to work through together.
- eSafety Commissioner: Healthy screen time – Australian government guidance on managing screen use
- Australian Institute of Family Studies: Screen time – Evidence summary on screen time effects and guidelines
- Raising Children Network: Screen time – Age-specific advice for Australian families
- Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines – Official recommendations for children and young people