Parents Struggle to Manage Kids' Device Use as Line Between Learning, Leisure Blurs

Children given screen time when parents are tired, busy or want time to themselves

- Shermaine Ang and Sarah Koh

Phones and laptops have become necessary in school settings today, used for schoolwork and communication with teachers and peers.

Many secondary school students also use their school-prescribed personal learning devices (PLDs) for non-academic purposes, parents said, adding that they find it difficult to stop their children from doing so when they get home from school.

"I am aware that it may not be possible to say no to a phone for my son in Secondary 1. This is because there are chat groups for academic work that may be set up. Parents like me may feel pressured because of messaging from the school," said Mr Timothy Wong, a stay-at-home father to his 11-year-old son.

"I have lost count of how many times I have seen or heard of students using the PLD for non-school or non-academic purposes," said the 50-year-old.

All PLDs are pre-installed with a device management application that blocks students' access to undesirable internet content, such as pornography and gambling, and sets screen time limits.

The Sunday Times spoke to eight parents about their challenges in managing their children's screen use, following the release of an inaugural Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) survey on Sept 12, which involved nearly 2,000 parents in Singapore.

Findings showed that more than half of children aged between two and six spend more than the one-hour daily limit on screen time recommended by the Ministry of Health. This figure jumps to 81 per cent on weekends.