Tech-savvy homeschooling: Balancing screens and learning

We’re a pretty tech-savvy family. Dominic, the one behind the programming of Kiwipolis, has been running a software development business for almost 20 years. In our house, there have always been more computers than TVs.

For us, technology has always been a tool—something that serves us.

I love technology for all sorts of reasons. Whenever a question comes up in our house, I’m so glad to have a device on hand that lets us find the answer instantly.

So, it’s only natural that technology has played a role in our homeschooling journey. Back then, though, the options were far more limited compared to today. But now? Now, anything seems possible! I come across so many amazing resources that I almost feel jealous—I’d love to start homeschooling all over again!

Back in the day, compared to other homeschooling families we knew, our kids spent more time on screens. It never seemed like an issue, although I hadn’t really given it much thought.

What Science Says

Only recently did I start diving into studies on screen impact. Here’s what I took away.

First, I was expecting screens to be more harmful than the research suggests. In fact, screens aren’t necessarily problematic on their own—almost not at all, actually.

As a homeschooling family, I’ve always felt that it doesn’t make sense to compare ourselves to families with kids in traditional school. Our daily rhythms and routines are just too different. For us, technology plays a big role in learning and has had a hugely positive impact. So even if my kids spend quite a bit of time on the computer or tablet, they’re also outside playing for hours, cooking, doing crafts, and more. In the end, tech takes up only a small part of their day, bringing learning and discovery to our family rather than isolation or mindless distraction.

The Impact on Physical Health

The physical drawbacks aren’t due to the screens themselves, but rather to the sedentary lifestyle they can encourage, and the strain from prolonged close-up focus. Technology doesn’t make people more sedentary, except in cases where they already are, in which case, yes, screens can reinforce inactivity.

Screens do, however, strain eyesight, primarily because we’re focusing up close rather than looking at a distance like we would outdoors. The impact is similar to reading a book—extended close focus encourages nearsightedness. Our bodies tend to get “lazy”; if we don’t practice long-distance focus, we can lose it. It’s as simple as that.

The Impact on Mental Health

Do screens affect young people’s mental health? Once again, it’s not the screen itself, but the content that’s at fault. A young person exposed to inappropriate content, or who faces cyberbullying or online violence, will likely have their mental health affected—just as they would in real life. The same goes for young people who isolate themselves to be online or neglect their wellbeing. So, it’s not the technology itself affecting mental health but rather the content and how it’s used.

How to Use Technology in a Healthy Way

Here are some guidelines for a balanced use of technology:

1. Always control the content. Content is the game-changer; it has the biggest impact, both positively and negatively. This means thinking through which apps and games your kids have access to, checking if they’re online, and how interactions are managed if so. I’m not saying kids should never play games without educational value, but try to limit access. It’s similar to food: having a piece of cake once a week is fine, but three times a day is another story.

2. Be present when your kids are using technology, especially when they’re young. It’s not enough to have the computer in the living room for supervision; you also need to keep an eye out and talk to them about what they’re doing.

3. Keep an open, ongoing dialogue about what they’re up to. One homeschooling mom told me, “My kids play video games as much as they like, but we always play with them!” Honestly, I’m not a fan of video games, but I would often sit down with them to be part of the action. This goes beyond games and includes apps and online interactions, too. An engaged, interested parent makes a huge difference in screen impact. This involvement helps kids learn to become digital citizens since we’re passing on our knowledge in real-time.

4. Manage tech so that it doesn’t interfere with a healthy lifestyle (for both kids and adults!). Most apps and games are designed to be addictive, to make you want to return. It’s crucial to teach young people how to self-regulate so it doesn’t interfere with sleep, physical activity, free play, and social interactions. This means setting clear, sensible rules that apply to everyone (for example, no tech at the table means parents too!) and that are easy to follow.

In conclusion, the younger the children, the more beneficial it is for their development to learn through outdoor free play and hands-on creative activities. As they grow, technology can be integrated through apps and games that offer rich, healthy possibilities—as long as we stay invested, present, and interested as parents. When balanced with a diverse, stimulating lifestyle, technology offers many advantages.

To learn more about screen time : Media Smart Common Sens Media Digial Wellness Lab National Geographic Kids UK