Are there any duas I can teach my child before using screens or media? 

Parenting Perspective 

Yes, absolutely. Teaching your child a simple dua to say before using a screen is a beautiful way to help them develop mindfulness and intention. It transforms screen time from an automatic, passive habit into a conscious choice made with the remembrance of Allah. The key is to keep it short and age-appropriate, so it feels natural and easy for them to remember. 

The Power of a Simple Intention 

Explain to your child that saying a dua is a way of asking Allah to help them use their time wisely, to protect them from any harmful content, and to allow them to benefit from what they are about to see or hear. This frames the act as one of seeking goodness and protection, which is an empowering concept for a child. 

A Dua for Younger Children 

For younger children, the most powerful and simple dua is the Basmalah. You can teach them to say: ‘Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem’ (‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate’) before they begin. This simple phrase is profound in its ability to set a mindful and blessed tone. 

A Dua for Older Children 

For older children, you can introduce a slightly longer dua that aligns with their purpose, especially if they are using a screen for learning. A beautiful supplication is: ‘Allahumma inni as’aluka ilman nafi’an’ (‘O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge’). This helps them to solidify their intention to learn. 

Model the Habit Yourself 

The most powerful way to embed this habit is to model it yourself. Saying the Basmalah aloud before you open your own phone or laptop shows your child that this is not a rule just for them, but a cherished family practice of beginning every action with Allah’s name. 

Spiritual Insight 

Our faith encourages us to begin every action with the name of Allah and to be mindful of what we choose to engage with, transforming even mundane acts into a form of remembrance. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Alaq (96), Verses 1–2: 

‘Read in the name of your Sustainer, Who has created you. Created mankind from a coagulated germ cell.’ 

These first revealed verses of the Quran establish a fundamental connection between the act of seeking knowledge (‘Read!’) and beginning in the name of our Creator. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1894, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Any important matter that does not begin with the remembrance of Allah is severed [from blessings].’ 

This hadith teaches us that even our small, daily acts, like opening a device, can be protected and filled with barakah (blessing) if they are started with the remembrance of Allah. By giving your child a dua to say before using a screen, you are planting a seed of mindfulness and teaching them to seek Allah’s help in making good choices a habit that can guide them throughout their entire digital life.