I'm a Psychologist and I Let My Kids Have Screen Time: Here's Why the Research Might Surprise You
Feb 27, 2026
5min read
If you walked into my living room on a Tuesday afternoon, you’d probably see my kids wearing light AR glasses or interacting with a holographic tutor. As a psychologist, I get asked the same question almost every day: 'Aren't you worried about their brains?' For years, the standard advice for parents was to limit screens at all costs. But it is 2026, and the research has finally caught up to our modern reality. The data might actually surprise you.
The first thing we have to realize is that the 'screens' of 2026 are nothing like the screens of ten years ago. We’ve moved past the era of passive scrolling and mindless clicking. Today, my kids use their devices to build virtual structures, solve complex 3D puzzles, and learn history by walking through digital recreations of ancient cities. Recent studies show that this kind of 'active' engagement helps develop problem-solving skills and spatial awareness far better than just watching a video.
Another big change in the research involves social connection. People used to think screens made kids lonely. However, with the rise of high-fidelity spatial platforms, my daughter can 'hang out' with her cousin who lives three states away. They aren't just staring at a grid of faces; they are playing games and collaborating in a shared space. To their brains, this feels very similar to an in-person playdate. It builds social cues and emotional intelligence in ways that traditional texting never could.
In my house, I don't follow a strict 'one-hour-only' rule. Instead, I focus on what I call the Digital Diet. Just like we look at the nutrition in food, I look at the quality of the content they are consuming. Is it interactive? Is it educational? Does it spark their curiosity? If the answer is yes, then that time is valuable. Research now suggests that when parents engage with their kids during screen time—asking questions about what they are seeing—the cognitive benefits actually double.
Of course, balance is still vital. We still make sure they get plenty of physical movement, sunlight, and face-to-face time with us. But the fear that technology is 'rotting' their brains just isn't supported by the latest science. As a psychologist, I see these tools as a way to prepare them for a world where digital and physical life are fully blended. If we teach them how to use technology mindfully now, we are giving them the skills they need for a successful future.
The bottom line is that you can stop feeling guilty. The screen isn't the enemy; it's a window to a much larger world. When we guide our kids through that window instead of closing it, we help them grow in ways we never thought possible.
The first thing we have to realize is that the 'screens' of 2026 are nothing like the screens of ten years ago. We’ve moved past the era of passive scrolling and mindless clicking. Today, my kids use their devices to build virtual structures, solve complex 3D puzzles, and learn history by walking through digital recreations of ancient cities. Recent studies show that this kind of 'active' engagement helps develop problem-solving skills and spatial awareness far better than just watching a video.
Another big change in the research involves social connection. People used to think screens made kids lonely. However, with the rise of high-fidelity spatial platforms, my daughter can 'hang out' with her cousin who lives three states away. They aren't just staring at a grid of faces; they are playing games and collaborating in a shared space. To their brains, this feels very similar to an in-person playdate. It builds social cues and emotional intelligence in ways that traditional texting never could.
In my house, I don't follow a strict 'one-hour-only' rule. Instead, I focus on what I call the Digital Diet. Just like we look at the nutrition in food, I look at the quality of the content they are consuming. Is it interactive? Is it educational? Does it spark their curiosity? If the answer is yes, then that time is valuable. Research now suggests that when parents engage with their kids during screen time—asking questions about what they are seeing—the cognitive benefits actually double.
Of course, balance is still vital. We still make sure they get plenty of physical movement, sunlight, and face-to-face time with us. But the fear that technology is 'rotting' their brains just isn't supported by the latest science. As a psychologist, I see these tools as a way to prepare them for a world where digital and physical life are fully blended. If we teach them how to use technology mindfully now, we are giving them the skills they need for a successful future.
The bottom line is that you can stop feeling guilty. The screen isn't the enemy; it's a window to a much larger world. When we guide our kids through that window instead of closing it, we help them grow in ways we never thought possible.
