Growing Up in a Digital World: Supporting Healthy Media Use

The value of real interaction

We believe it is essential to highlight the importance of real, face-to-face interaction. Children learn most through direct contact with others: listening, showing empathy, and understanding non-verbal communication.

At Basker, we encourage children to play together, talk, and make eye contact during conversations. These experiences support their social, emotional and language development and help them build healthy relationships.

The impact of screen time

Excessive screen time can be a concern during critical stages of brain development. Research shows that children who spend a lot of time on screens may experience changes in brain development compared to peers who use screens less. They can also score lower on thinking tasks, perception skills, and language and memory tests.

Additional effects may include:

• Reduced social interaction: active play and interaction are replaced by passive viewing, which can affect relationship-building
• Distraction and dependency: constant stimulation can disrupt focus and create restlessness
• Lower self-confidence: fewer opportunities to practise, fail and learn can limit resilience
• Reduced creativity: passive consumption leaves less room for imagination and problem-solving
• Sleep disruption: screen use can interfere with sleep patterns, affecting growth and wellbeing
• Less physical activity: more screen time often means less movement, impacting motor development
• Shorter attention span: rapid stimuli can reduce concentration and affect learning

What is responsible media use?

At our childcare locations, screen use is minimal. As your partner in parenting, we understand that this may not always be realistic at home. Our teams do use tablets, for example, to share photos of your child in daily updates. We encourage parents and carers to take a mindful approach to digital media.

Our approach to screen time

Our day care and pre-school locations are screen-free. Children aged 0 to 4 develop primarily through sensory experiences, movement and play. Screens do not add value at this stage. Human interaction and real connection are essential for language and social-emotional development – think playing, talking, singing, exploring and moving together.

In our after school care, media is used consciously and in moderation. It is always active and part of a broader activity. Media supports our programme, but never replaces play, movement or social interaction.

Our tips for healthy screen use at home: 

• Set clear limits: encourage a balance between screen time and activities such as outdoor play and creative play
• Follow the 20-20-2 rule: after 20 minutes of screen time, look at something about 20 metres away for at least 2 minutes
• Encourage outdoor play: being active outdoors supports both physical development and overall health

Media use for babies and toddlers

It is wise to think early about how your child will be introduced to media. Research shows that babies learn best through interaction with their environment – by moving, exploring, communicating and using their senses.

For toddlers, screens can be tempting, especially when parents need a moment. However, children benefit more from activities such as building with blocks, dancing to music, puzzles, drawing or imaginative play.

If you do allow media use, guidance suggests:

• 5–10 minutes at a time
• Maximum 30 minutes per day

Tips for babies and toddlers

• Read together often – books strongly support brain development
• Be a role model – children copy what they see
• Avoid screens before bedtime – choose a calming story instead
• Prioritise hands-on play over screens
• If watching together, choose calm, simple content and enjoy it together

Media use for pre-school children

Young children quickly become confident with media, but balance remains key. A varied daily routine with play, social interaction and rest is essential.

Recommended use:

• 10–15 minutes at a time
• Maximum 1 hour per day

Tips for this age

• Watch or play together
• Choose simple, cheerful, age-appropriate content
• Set clear, consistent boundaries
• Check content suitability in advance
• Encourage plenty of active play alongside media use

Media use for primary school children

For primary-aged children, media becomes part of everyday life. They develop their own preferences and can learn valuable skills, especially as they begin reading and writing.

However, guidance and boundaries remain important:

• Ages 6–8: max. 1 hour per day (ideally split into 2 sessions)
• Ages 8–10: 1 to 1.5 hours per day
• Age 10+: max. 2 hours per day

Tips for primary school children

A helpful framework is the “Media Diamond”, focusing on five key aspects:

• Together – Engage with your child; share experiences and set a positive example
• Safe – Talk about online safety and privacy
• Balance – Agree on screen time rules together
• Enjoyment – Encourage creativity, not just consumption
• Content – Choose age-appropriate, meaningful content and discuss it together

By making conscious choices and keeping balance at the centre, we can help children grow up confidently, socially and healthily in a digital world.