Practicing Narration:
the easiest way to model healthy tech in your house
A practice that can transform screen use from a potential battleground into a meaningful learning moment is narrating what we're doing on our devices around our kids.
In a time when screens are everywhere, many parents feel the pressure to set clear boundaries for their kids' screen time while modeling healthy habits themselves. A practice that can transform screen use from a potential battleground into a meaningful learning moment is narrating what we're doing on our devices around our kids. From emails and texts to work-related tasks, simply explaining why we’re on our screens models a mindful approach and helps set the foundation for seeing screens as tools rather than toys.
Why Narrating Makes a Difference
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Narrating phone use around your kids serves two powerful purposes. First, it signals that screens aren’t there for mindless scrolling or passive distraction but are useful tools that can help us work, communicate, and stay informed. Secondly, narrating breaks down assumptions about hypocrisy, especially if our kids see us reaching for our devices frequently. By explaining what we’re doing, we help them see our productivity rather than potentially imagining we're just gaming or lost in social media.
For instance, if you need to respond to an email or check the calendar for a family event, you might say, “I’m just opening up my phone to check what time the soccer game starts this weekend.” Or if a work email comes in, explaining, “I’m responding to an email from work. It will only take a few minutes, and then I’ll be ready to play,” helps frame screen time as something intentional and productive.
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Starting Young Makes a Difference
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Getting into the habit of narrating screen use when your kids are young is especially impactful. Younger children naturally mirror their parents' habits, so when they hear us talk about using screens intentionally, they’re more likely to develop the same approach. As they grow up, they’ll have an ingrained understanding that screens are tools—a perspective that becomes crucial when they start navigating devices independently.
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Helping Kids Feel Seen, Not Ignored (Makes a Difference)
When we narrate what we’re doing on our screens, we assure our children that we’re not “tuning them out.” Many kids (especially younger ones) can feel disconnected or even hurt if they think their parent is engrossed in a screen rather than focused on them. By saying aloud what we’re doing, we help bridge that gap. It reassures them that we aren’t ignoring them and reinforces that they’re still our priority.
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Avoiding The "Do As I say, Not As I Do" Trap (Makes a Difference)
A common frustration for kids is feeling they’re held to different standards than adults, especially when it comes to screens. When we ask them to limit their own screen time, they may see this as unfair if they don’t understand why we’re often on our own devices. Narrating why we’re using our screens can dismantle any unspoken feelings of “double standards.” Instead, we model a balanced, deliberate approach to screen time that they’re more likely to replicate when they have their own devices.
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Modeling for the Long Haul (Makes A Difference)
Ultimately, showing our kids that screens are a resource—not just a source of entertainment—teaches a lifelong habit. With consistent narrating, we give our children a strong model of tech boundaries and how to use screens meaningfully. When they eventually have their own phones, they’re more likely to replicate the productive, healthy tech use they saw growing up.
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What LookUp is Trying to Say...
So next time you reach for your device, take a moment to explain what you’re doing. It’s a small habit with a lasting impact, reminding your kids that screens aren’t just for entertainment, but are a purposeful tool that helps us navigate life more effectively.
