A Positive Solution Electronics Overuse

It’s easy for both adults and children to lose track of time as hours slip by in front of a screen. But the problem goes beyond time lost—excessive electronics use can have a profound impact on a child’s development, shaping not only how they think but also how they engage with the world around them.

Studies show that on average, teenagers in the U.S. spend approximately 7 hours and 22 minutes daily in front of screens, including time spent on phones, computers, and TVs.  For context, this equates to almost 43% of their waking hours. The question is, how can we help our children break free from the cycle of screen addiction and replace mindless scrolling with activities that are enriching and meaningful?

As Christian parents, the answer lies not in simply limiting screen time, but in addressing the heart. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” When our children spend excessive time on electronics, it’s a sign that their hearts are searching for something deeper—perhaps connection, entertainment, or an escape from boredom. We need to offer them proactive and creative solutions that help them discover fulfillment beyond their screens.

Why Electronics Overuse Matters

The real danger of screen addiction isn’t just in the hours wasted. It’s about what those hours are replacing. When a child spends too much time on devices, they are missing out on opportunities to grow emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. They lose valuable time for creativity, problem-solving, physical activity, and relationship-building—all critical elements for their development.

Screen time gives the illusion of connection and satisfaction, but it ultimately leaves children empty. They are constantly seeking the next good feeling, which can be as addictive as any other habit. Just as our bodies need balanced nutrition, our hearts and minds need activities that foster growth and purpose. As parents, it’s our responsibility to help our children cultivate that balance and find joy in activities that truly nourish their souls.

Remember: Parents are the architects of the family schedule, activities, and screen time—or at least they should be. Too many parents have allowed children to take over this important responsibility. It’s. time to make a change. Let me show you one way to do it.

The “Living Well Pantry” Approach

Instead of thinking of screen time as an addiction that needs to be fought, consider an analogy that helps frame the solution in a positive, proactive light: the Living Well Pantry. Just as you might stock your pantry with both healthy foods and the occasional treat, you can teach your child to stock their daily life with activities that nourish their heart and mind.

Imagine boredom as a moment when your child is “hungry” for something to do. If they always reach for the “junk food” of mindless scrolling, they’ll find themselves unsatisfied. However, if they have a well-stocked “Living Well Pantry” of activities, they can easily choose something that will truly fill their hearts and minds with joy and purpose.

Here’s how you can help your child create their own “Living Well Pantry” to combat electronics overuse. They might not like this exercise or even resist the new structure, and that’s where strong parenting becomes helpful.

Stocking the “Living Well Pantry”

Healthy Snacks: Quick and Joyful Activities These are short, easy tasks that your child can do when they have just a little time but want to break the habit of jumping on the computer. Some ideas include:

1. Going outside for 15 minutes for a walk or just exploring with their eyes.
2. Playing with a pet
3. Doing a short art or craft
4. Engaging in conversation with someone
5. Reading a few pages of a book

These activities don’t take long, but they provide a sense of accomplishment and joy without the need for a screen. They help children feel productive and satisfied in a short amount of time.

2. Main Dishes: Activities That Nourish the Mind and Body These activities require more time and engagement, but they provide a deeper sense of fulfillment. Main dishes could include:
   • Working on a hobby like painting, building models, or playing a musical instrument
   • Reading or working on a puzzle
   • Exercising, whether it’s a sport they love or simply going for a jog
   • Spending time with family playing a board game or doing a puzzle

These “main dishes” are where your child can find real satisfaction. These activities aren’t about instant gratification; they build patience, creativity, and long-term joy.

3. Side Dishes: Activities to Accompany Other Tasks Think of these as activities that complement daily chores or downtime. These may be electronic companions for mundane chores. For example:
   • Listening to music while cleaning their room
   • Having an audiobook or play while they do chores
   • Engaging in light conversation while cooking or doing laundry together

These side dishes help children realize that even chores can be enjoyable when paired with something pleasant. It shows them that life doesn’t need to be segmented into “fun” and “boring” tasks, but that joy can be found in everyday responsibilities.

4. Sweets: Fun but Limited Activities Just as desserts should be enjoyed in moderation, “dessert” activities like screen time shouldn’t dominate your child’s day. While playing video games, watching a favorite TV show, or scrolling through social media isn’t inherently bad, these activities should be treated like occasional treats.

By teaching children that these activities are best enjoyed in small portions, they can learn to control their impulses and avoid overindulging in screen time.

5. Special Treats: Occasional Joyful Experiences These are the activities that may not happen every day, but they bring a unique joy when they do occur. These could include:
   • Going on a family outing to a park, zoo, or museum
   • Visiting extended family or friends for a special dinner
   • Attending a church event or youth group activity
   • Taking a weekend hike or family road trip

These experiences are memorable and help children see that life is full of opportunities for adventure beyond the digital world.

The Importance of Balance

As you help your child build their Living Well Pantry, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of balance. Electronics and social media aren’t inherently wrong, but they need to be consumed in moderation. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Helping your child understand this truth can guide them to use their time wisely and seek fulfillment in activities that align with their values and faith.

Over time, your child will begin to recognize that real satisfaction doesn’t come from endless scrolling, but from activities that challenge them, help them grow, and allow them to engage with the world around them in meaningful ways. By stocking their lives with a variety of enriching activities, you are setting them on a path toward balance and self-control.

A Biblical Perspective: Guiding the Heart

In Parenting is Heart Work, Dr. Scott Turansky emphasizes the importance of focusing on the heart when addressing issues with children. Electronics overuse isn’t just about behavior—it’s a heart issue. Children often turn to screens because their hearts are searching for something. Maybe it’s comfort, distraction, or entertainment. As parents, we need to guide our children to recognize these heart needs and meet them with healthy, nourishing activities that bring lasting joy. Philippians 4:8 encourages us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Teaching children to fill their minds and hearts with these good things will help them to resist the pull of mindless screen time and embrace a life that is full of purpose and connection.

Join the Journey Toward Technology Wellness

If you’re looking for practical strategies and biblical insights on how to address electronics addiction in your home, consider taking Dr. Scott Turansky’s new course, Technology Wellness at Home: Preventing and Addressing Electronics Addiction in Children and Youth. This course offers tools to help parents proactively guide their children toward a healthier relationship with technology, emphasizing heart-based parenting and providing solutions that align with your family’s values. For a limited time you can get the course for $99 instead of $149 by using the code FAMILY and going here to purchase it:

Let’s help our children break free from the chains of screen addiction and instead fill their lives with activities that bring true joy, growth, and connection.