Restless after screens
Creative play fades; boredom and big emotions appear the moment a device is switched off.
For parents in the UK & Ireland
Raise happy, balanced kids in a screen-obsessed world
Screens are everywhere. Meltdowns at dinner, “I’m bored” the second devices switch off, and bedtime battles feel all too familiar. The Tech-Smart Family by John Paul Hayes gives you research-backed, practical routines, not fear-mongering bans.
Age-appropriate guidelines
Daily routines that stick
Digital detox plans
Companion workbook with printable templates
The problem many of us know too well
Children’s screen time has risen sharply. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics meta-analysis (Madigan et al.) reported about a 52% rise in children’s daily screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and UK Parliament research (2024) found nearly one in four young people showing signs of genuine device dependency. Only about 14.3% of preschoolers worldwide meet the WHO combination of limited screens, enough movement and adequate sleep, a gap highlighted in JAMA Pediatrics coverage in 2024.
Boundary battles
Mealtimes, homework and bedtime become negotiations, and parents often feel unsure about their own habits too.
Fear of falling behind
Social pressure says more tech equals advantage. Research suggests foundations are built through play, language and problem-solving first.
A balanced way forward: tech-smart, not anti-tech
This is a practical UK/Ireland-focused guide, distinct from The Tech-Wise Family (Andy Crouch) and Tech-Smart Parenting (Catherine Knibbs). It is written for real homes that need clear next steps, not ideology.
- Clear, age-appropriate guidelines led by 2026 England Best Start under-5s and HSE Ireland advice, with WHO and AAP as supporting context.
- Simple daily routines for mornings, mealtimes, evenings and weekends that naturally reduce screen reliance.
- Hundreds of engaging alternatives: creative, outdoor and family projects kids will actually do.
- Resistance strategies for pushback, meltdowns and “everyone else has unlimited screens”.
- Family digital detox planning for weekends, holidays and resets that feel enjoyable, not punitive.
- Companion workbook with printable templates: tracking tools and family media agreements that turn intention into habit.
Grounded in research, without the scare tactics
Themes in the book are grounded in widely cited research and guidance (JAMA Pediatrics, AAP recommendations, WHO under-fives guidance, and UK Parliament screen-time analysis). Our free guidelines page also reflects England Best Start under-5s advice (March 2026) and HSE Ireland, presented with calm, practical language for busy parents.
What you’ll put into practice
- Screen-free zones and charging stations
- Homework-before-recreation rules
- Co-viewing and content quality choices
- Parent modelling that children can copy
Start with these free guides
- Screen time guidelines by age (UK & Ireland 2026)
- Plan a family digital detox
- Build a family media plan
- Screens in bedrooms and sleep
- Half-term screen reset for school holidays
- Christmas screen boundaries for a calm festive season
- What to do when kids say “I’m bored” after screens
- Meet author John Paul Hayes
See the sources
We summarise findings from the book’s sources, with years checked against the journals (JAMA Pediatrics 2022: about a 52% pandemic rise; 14.3% of preschoolers meeting the WHO combo; UK Parliament: roughly 1 in 4 showing dependency signs; plus WHO and AAP themes), then show how the book applies them. No fake reviews.
What’s inside the book
From the science of developing brains to weekend detox schedules and media agreements that quietly reduce arguments. The book also includes a companion workbook with printable templates.
Understand the impact
How screens affect attention, language, sleep, empathy and physical development, and why screen-free play strengthens executive function.
Set age-right limits
2026 UK & Ireland guidance for under-5s first, then school-age balance tips, plus active vs passive screen time so you can choose better, not just less.
Make change stick
Routines, resistance management, detox weekends and collaborative family media rules with natural consequences.
Ready for calmer evenings and clearer boundaries?
Get practical routines, age-appropriate guidelines, detox plans and printable workbook templates, written for real family life in Britain and Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for parents looking for screen time guidelines (UK and Ireland), family media plans and digital detox ideas.
How much screen time is okay for kids in the UK and Ireland?
It depends on age. For 2026, start with England Best Start under-5s advice and HSE Ireland: under 2, favour shared bonding uses only (or minimise); ages 2–5, try about 1 hour a day or less with co-viewing; school-age, prioritise sleep, play, homework and hobbies while official England 5–16 guidance is still being developed (expected autumn 2026). WHO and AAP remain useful international context. See our screen time guidelines by age (UK & Ireland 2026) page for the full summary.
What is a family media plan?
A family media plan is a shared agreement covering when and where screens are used, content expectations, device-free zones (such as bedrooms and mealtimes), and how the whole family (including parents) will stick to the boundaries together.
How do we do a digital detox for families without a total ban?
Start with a planned weekend reset: agree which devices are off-limits, prepare engaging screen-free activities, model the change as parents, then review what worked. The book offers gradual and immediate approaches so you can choose what fits your household.
How is The Tech-Smart Family different from The Tech-Wise Family or Tech-Smart Parenting?
It is a practical UK and Ireland-focused guide by John Paul Hayes. It emphasises age-appropriate guidelines, daily routines, resistance strategies, digital detox planning and family media agreements. The tone is balanced and research-backed, not fear-mongering bans.