Could my habit of scrolling when stressed teach my child to cope the same way? 

Parenting Perspective 

Yes, children are highly observant and frequently learn how to manage stress by watching how their parents respond to it. If your primary reaction to feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or upset is to pick up a phone and scroll, your child may adopt this behaviour. Over time, they can learn to associate emotional regulation with digital distraction rather than with healthy processing. 

Recognising the Signs of Imitation 

Early signs that your child is mirroring your coping style include instinctively reaching for a device when upset, avoiding discussions about their feelings, or becoming irritable when a screen is unavailable. These behaviours suggest they are learning to turn to technology for comfort. 

Modelling Alternative Coping Strategies 

When you feel stressed, it is helpful to narrate healthier responses aloud in their presence. For example, you could say, “I am feeling a bit tense, so I am going to take a short walk,” or “I need a moment to breathe before I decide what to do.” This demonstrates that stress can be managed through active, calming choices. 

Creating Shared Stress-Relief Habits 

You can also introduce shared, family-friendly practices for managing stress, such as going for a walk, performing short breathing exercises together, or listening to something uplifting. By practising these regularly, you establish them as natural and accessible alternatives to stress-scrolling for everyone. 

The methods your child uses to manage their emotions are often built from observing you; improving your own habits can therefore directly strengthen theirs. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, we are encouraged to seek peace of heart and mind through the remembrance of Allah Almighty and positive action, not through mindless avoidance or distraction. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ra’ad (13), Verse 28: 

‘Indeed, it is only with the remembrance of Allah (Almighty) that one can (and does) find peace of mind and heart…’ 

This powerful verse reminds us that true and lasting emotional comfort is found in turning towards our Creator, not in temporary digital diversions. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2664, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless.” 

This guidance teaches us that actively seeking beneficial and healthy solutions to our challenges is a sign of strong faith, which is more praiseworthy than passively succumbing to difficulty. 

By consciously replacing stress-scrolling with mindful, faith-centred habits, you not only improve your own well-being but also guide your child towards resilience, patience, and healthier emotional responses that will benefit them throughout their life.