10 life skills affected by technology & what you can do about it
Technology is everywhere, seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, from smartphones and tablets to social media and gaming. For parents, this digital landscape brings both opportunities and challenges. While technology offers educational tools, entertainment, and even social connection, excessive reliance on screens can impact crucial life skills that children need to thrive.
This isn’t about promoting fear or suggesting that technology is inherently bad. Instead, it’s about recognising how screen time can shape development and finding a healthy balance between digital life and real-world experiences. Let’s explore 10 key life skills that are affected by technology use and tips of what parents can do to nurture them.
Problem-solving skills
Many digital experiences (such as watching YouTube videos or playing structured video games) provide instant solutions, reducing opportunities for children to figure things out on their own. Without enough real-world problem-solving experiences, children may struggle to navigate challenges independently.
What you can do
Encourage hands-on activities that require critical thinking, such as puzzles, board games, and STEM projects. Give them opportunities to tackle age-appropriate real-world problems, like helping cook a meal, fixing a broken toy, or planning a family outing.
Social skills
Online interactions differ from face-to-face conversations. Texting and messaging often lack tone, body language, and real-time emotional responses, making it harder for children to develop social intuition and empathy.
What you can do
Prioritise in-person interactions. Encourage playdates, extracurricular activities, and family gatherings. Role-play social situations with younger kids, teaching them how to read social cues, start conversations, and resolve conflicts.
Confidence & self-esteem
Social media can lead to constant comparison, where children measure their worth against filtered, curated versions of others’ lives. The quest for likes and comments can become a source of validation, rather than developing confidence from within.
What you can do
Help your child develop self-worth based on their own abilities and character rather than online approval. Praise their effort, resilience, and kindness rather than appearance or social media popularity. Encourage hobbies and activities where they can build confidence outside the digital world.
Communication skills
With the rise of texting and emojis, many kids are missing out on practicing full conversations. Many struggle with making eye contact, expressing themselves clearly, or handling difficult discussions in person.
What you can do
Have daily tech-free conversations at home. Ask open-ended questions at the dinner table and encourage storytelling. Teach children how to introduce themselves, maintain eye contact, and listen actively in conversations.
Emotional regulation
Instant gratification from screens can make it harder for kids to manage frustration, boredom, and disappointment. When a child is upset, turning to a screen for distraction doesn’t teach them how to process emotions, it just postpones the feeling.
What you can do
Encourage your child to sit with their emotions and find healthy ways to cope, such as journaling, going outside, deep breathing, or talking about their feelings. You can create a “boredom list” with non-digital activities they can do when they feel restless.
Attention span & focus
Rapid-fire entertainment (like short-form videos, fast-paced games, and instant notifications) trains our brain to crave constant stimulation. This can make it harder for kids to focus on longer, more complex tasks like reading, homework, or even listening in class.
What you can do
Introduce activities that require sustained focus, such as reading, building with Legos, or playing an instrument. Limit multitasking (e.g. watching TV while doing homework) and encourage single-task focus.
Creativity & imagination
While some digital tools can be creative (like coding or digital art), passive screen time (such as scrolling through videos) can stifle imagination. When entertainment is constantly provided, children have fewer opportunities to create their own stories, games, or ideas.
What you can do
Encourage unstructured play! Give kids open-ended materials like art supplies, building blocks, or dress-up clothes. Set aside screen-free time for creativity and let them experience boredom. It often leads to the most imaginative ideas!
Resilience & perseverance
In the digital world, answers are a Google (or for many children now ChatGPT) search away, and games often provide instant rewards. This can lead to frustration when kids encounter real-world challenges that require persistence, such as struggling through a tough maths problem or practicing a new skill.
What you can do
Encourage your child to embrace challenges instead of avoiding them. Praise their effort rather than the outcome (“I love how you kept trying!”). Introduce activities that require patience and perseverance, like learning an instrument, gardening, or long-term projects.
Healthy sleep habits
Blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production, making it harder for kids to fall asleep. Additionally, late-night scrolling or gaming can overstimulate their brains, leading to restless nights and groggy mornings.
What you can do
Establish a tech-free bedtime routine. Encourage winding down with books, relaxing music, or quiet conversation. Set a household rule to turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime and keep devices out of bedrooms overnight.
Self-control & delayed gratification
Many apps and games are designed to keep kids engaged, offering endless scrolling, autoplay features, and instant rewards. This can make it harder for children to develop impulse control and the ability to delay gratification, which is an essential skill for long-term success.
What you can do
Help your child practice patience in their everyday life. Encourage saving up for a special toy instead of getting instant rewards. Play games that build self-control, like “Simon Says” or mindfulness exercises. Set screen time limits and teach them to recognise when they’ve had enough.