How do I keep family time audible when devices are everywhere? 

Parenting Perspective 

In many homes, family time now competes with the soft glow and constant hum of screens. Conversations can trail off mid-sentence as laughter fades into the quiet scroll of a phone. The challenge is not simply about reducing screen use; it is about reclaiming the sound of presence, of voices, laughter, and a real connection. 

Start with a Shared Understanding 

Children and adults alike often turn to devices for comfort or distraction. Rather than scolding, it is more effective to begin with honesty and empathy. You could say, ‘I have noticed we all spend a lot of time on our devices, and I miss hearing us talk together. Let us find a way to keep our family time alive.’ This approach removes any sense of blame and invites cooperation, reframing the issue as a collective goal rather than a matter of parental control. 

Designate ‘Audible Zones’ 

Just as we might set aside quiet zones for reading, we can create ‘audible zones’, which are spaces and moments where conversation takes priority. For instance: 

• No devices during meals. 

• Phones switched off during short family walks or car rides. 

• ‘Talk before tech’ for the first fifteen minutes after school or work. 

These small rituals can help to retrain your family’s rhythm. The sound of voices can slowly become natural again, a comforting, living background to your home life. 

Fill the Silence with Connection 

It is important to replace the silence of screens with sounds that draw everyone in. You could try: 

• Sharing stories after dinner. 

• A short daily gratitude circle. 

• Playing a background of gentle nasheeds or Quran recitation. 

When children associate device-free moments with warmth and a positive energy, they stop feeling that their screens are being taken away, and start to feel that a sense of connection is being given back. 

Model Attentive Presence 

Children learn their habits of attention from our example. If they see their parents multitasking or glancing at notifications while talking, they will mirror that behaviour. It is important to put your own phone aside completely during family moments. Look up, speak calmly, and listen fully. This quiet action teaches far more than any lecture. 

Use Warm Cues, Not Warnings 

When someone in the family drifts back to their device, it is better to avoid shouting. Instead, you can use humour or a gentle cue, such as, ‘It seems your ears have gone on holiday. Can we borrow them back for a moment?’ This gentle correction keeps the communication light-hearted and helps to prevent defensiveness. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, communication is a trust and a reflection of our unity. A family that listens and speaks with sincerity is one that keeps its bonds alive through sound hearts and mindful tongues. Restoring the ‘audibility’ of your home, where words are heard and feelings are acknowledged, helps to revive the very essence of rahmah (mercy) and connection. 

Valuing Communication in the Quran 

The Quran highlights that getting to know one another, through conversation, empathy, and presence, is a part of our divine purpose. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 13: 

‘O mankind, indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have created you all from one man and one woman; and placed you amongst various nations and tribes for your introduction to each other…’ 

By speaking and listening to each other, we are living out this beautiful Quranic ideal of connection and understanding. 

The Prophetic Example of Gracious Speech 

The life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provides a perfect model of the importance of family interaction and presence. By setting aside our devices to make our family time more audible and meaningful, we are following his noble example. 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 3252, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.’ 

The audibility of your family life will not be restored overnight; it is rebuilt, one small practice at a time. Each meal you share without phones, and each conversation where everyone looks up, becomes a moment of restoration. 

Over time, you will begin to notice the soundscape of your home changing, from the mechanical clicks of devices to the natural sound of laughter and discussion. These are not just sounds; they are the signs of life returning to your family’s connection. Within that renewal lies something sacred: the rediscovery of what it means to truly hear and be heard. A family that speaks with presence and listens with the heart is not only communicating; it is practising mercy, mindfulness, and gratitude in the most beautiful form of worship: togetherness.