How can I model a “pause before scrolling” habit in front of them? 

Parenting Perspective 

The automatic habit of reaching for a phone can be powerful for adults too. By intentionally modelling a ‘pause’, you teach your child that using a device can be a conscious choice, not just an impulse. 

Make the Pause Visible 

Before you unlock your phone to scroll, make a point of holding it for a moment and taking a breath. This simple, physical pause demonstrates that you are making a conscious choice, not just reacting to a habit. 

Narrate Your Thought Process 

You can make the lesson even clearer by explaining your thought process. Saying, ‘I was about to check my messages, but it is nearly prayer time, so I will wait until after,’ turns your pause into a visible, teachable moment about priorities. 

Link the Pause to a Value 

Use the moment of pause to redirect your attention towards something you value more. This could be turning to your child for a conversation, or simply getting up to make a cup of tea. This shows that restraint is linked to positive outcomes, not just deprivation. 

By practising this regularly, you create a living example of mindful tech use that your child can imitate without you needing to lecture them. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places great emphasis on reflection (tadabbur) and deliberation (ta’anni) before acting. This principle of mindfulness is encouraged in all aspects of a believer’s life. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashr (59), Verse 18: 

‘O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow…’ 

This verse encourages us to live with conscious awareness of the consequences of our actions, even in our smallest daily habits. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2012, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from Satan.’ 

This profound guidance urges us to slow down and think before we act, whether in matters of worship, speech, or our use of technology. 

By showing your child that you consciously pause before scrolling, you not only help them develop digital discipline but also instil in them the prophetic practice of deliberate, thoughtful living.