A major new report from the OECD has revealed shocking insights into how screen use is shaping children's lives—and not for the better. In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack the disturbing statistics, explain the real-world impact of screens on kids’ mental health, relationships, and development, and offer practical, age-specific strategies to help parents take back control. From toddlers to teens, this is the digital wake-up call every parent needs.

KEY POINTS
Startling Stats:
Aussie teens average 7 hours of screen time per day.
12% use screens more than 80 hours per week.
70% of 10-year-olds “own” smartphones.
60% of Australian girls report severe distress from cyberbullying.
4 Uncomfortable Truths for Parents:
Real-world problems predict digital problems. Kids in distress offline turn to screens for escape.
Most parents are fighting the wrong war. The issue is less about screen time and more about content and connection.
It’s a bi-directional trap. Poor mental health drives screen addiction, and screen use worsens mental health.
Parental hypocrisy matters. Kids don’t listen if we model the very behaviour we criticise.
The Hidden Costs of Screen Use:
 Depression, anxiety, loneliness, academic decline, sleep issues, and family conflict all rise with excessive and unsupervised screen use.
The Real Solution:
 Strong offline relationships, autonomy-supportive parenting, and a focus on values, not just rules or limits.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“You can’t lift someone up if you’re underneath them. You’ve got to stand on high ground.”
 — Justin Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED
OECD Report:How’s Life for Children in the Digital Age?
The Parenting Revolutionby Justin Coulson
Happy Families Webinars and Courses
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
Past episodes on sextortion and gaming

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

For Kids Aged 0–7:
Be present during screen time or avoid it altogether.
Keep devices out of bedrooms—model this yourself.
Avoid gamified apps and addictive content. Prioritise simple, slow-paced shows (e.g., Bluey).

For Kids Aged 8–12:
Create a co-designed family media plan.
Prioritise what they’re consuming, not just how much.
Invest in offline activities and friendships—nature, play, and sport are protective.

For Teens:
Shift from control to collaboration. Support autonomy and solve problems with them.
Address root issues—mental health, loneliness, stress—before tackling screen habits.
Model healthy screen use. Walk your talk, or your words will fall flat.

A major new report from the OECD has revealed shocking insights into how screen use is shaping children's lives&mdash;and not for the better. In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack the disturbing statistics, explain the real-world impact of screens on kids&rsquo; mental health, relationships, and development, and offer practical, age-specific strategies to help parents take back control. From toddlers to teens, this is the digital wake-up call every parent needs.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Startling Stats:</li>
<ol>
<li aria-level="2">Aussie teens average 7 hours of screen time per day.</li>
<li aria-level="2">12% use screens more than 80 hours per week.</li>
<li aria-level="2">70% of 10-year-olds &ldquo;own&rdquo; smartphones.</li>
<li aria-level="2">60% of Australian girls report severe distress from cyberbullying.</li>
</ol>
<li aria-level="1">4 Uncomfortable Truths for Parents:</li>
<ol>
<li aria-level="2">Real-world problems predict digital problems. Kids in distress offline turn to screens for escape.</li>
<li aria-level="2">Most parents are fighting the wrong war. The issue is less about screen time and more about content and connection.</li>
<li aria-level="2">It&rsquo;s a bi-directional trap. Poor mental health drives screen addiction, and screen use worsens mental health.</li>
<li aria-level="2">Parental hypocrisy matters. Kids don&rsquo;t listen if we model the very behaviour we criticise.</li>
</ol>
<li aria-level="1">The Hidden Costs of Screen Use: Depression, anxiety, loneliness, academic decline, sleep issues, and family conflict all rise with excessive and unsupervised screen use.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Real Solution: Strong offline relationships, autonomy-supportive parenting, and a focus on values, not just rules or limits.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t lift someone up if you&rsquo;re underneath them. You&rsquo;ve got to stand on high ground.&rdquo; &mdash; Justin Coulson
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">OECD Report: <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/how-s-life-for-children-in-the-digital-age_0854b900-en.html">How&rsquo;s Life for Children in the Digital Age?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-parenting-revolution">The Parenting Revolution </a>by Justin Coulson</li>
<li aria-level="1">Happy Families <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/?s=screens&amp;post_type=product">Webinars and Courses</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nonviolentcommunication.com/about-marshall-rosenberg/books-and-products/">Nonviolent Communication</a> by Marshall Rosenberg</li>
<li aria-level="1">Past episodes on <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/?s=sextortion&amp;bp_search=1&amp;view=content">sextortion</a> and <a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/?s=gaming&amp;bp_search=1&amp;view=content">gaming</a></li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
For Kids Aged 0&ndash;7:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Be present during screen time or avoid it altogether.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep devices out of bedrooms&mdash;model this yourself.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Avoid gamified apps and addictive content. Prioritise simple, slow-paced shows (e.g., Bluey).</li>
</ol>
For Kids Aged 8&ndash;12:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Create a co-designed family media plan.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Prioritise what they&rsquo;re consuming, not just how much.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Invest in offline activities and friendships&mdash;nature, play, and sport are protective.</li>
</ol>
For Teens:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Shift from control to collaboration. Support autonomy and solve problems with them.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Address root issues&mdash;mental health, loneliness, stress&mdash;before tackling screen habits.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Model healthy screen use. Walk your talk, or your words will fall flat.</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1259 - How's Life for Children in The Digital Age?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/1ba8b3ec-b895-423d-ac2c-b2e400bdc20f/transcript