What daily habits can parents adopt to consistently model safe and balanced tech use? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children learn far more from what they observe in their parents’ daily lives than from what they are told in lectures. To teach a balanced and safe approach to technology, it is essential for parents to adopt and consistently model healthy digital habits themselves. This turns the abstract idea of ‘balance’ into a lived, daily reality that a child can see and imitate. 

Create Visible Routines of Balance 

Parents can adopt small but highly visible habits that demonstrate digital discipline. For example, consistently putting phones away during mealtimes, avoiding looking at screens during family conversations, and setting aside device-free time before bed all show children that technology has clear boundaries. These consistent behaviours normalise a sense of balance, making it clear that our devices should serve our lives, not control them. 

Use Technology With Purpose, Not Impulse 

Parents can also model intentional, purposeful use by occasionally explaining their choices out loud. Simple statements like, ‘I am putting my phone away now so I can focus completely on you,’ or ‘I just need to check this one thing for work, and then I will be done,’ show children that technology is a tool to be used for a specific purpose, not a constant source of distraction. 

Replace Excess With Enrichment 

Daily habits such as reading the Quran together as a family, engaging in meaningful conversation, or spending time outdoors can help a child to see that life is much fuller when it is balanced. By deliberately replacing moments of passive scrolling with meaningful activities, parents can demonstrate that true fulfilment is found in connection, learning, and worship, not in endless screen time. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that moderation and self-control are the foundations of a balanced and righteous life. By adopting consistent daily habits that reflect these principles, parents can turn the concept of safe tech use into a lived, Islamic example for their children to follow. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verses 67: 

‘ And it is those people that do not spend extravagantly, nor miserly; and (act in such a way) that is a balanced format between these two (extreme characteristics).‘ 

This verse reminds us that moderation is a core principle of our faith. This applies not only to how we manage our wealth, but also to how we spend our time and form our daily habits, including our use of technology. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 646, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong man is not the one who can wrestle, but the one who controls himself at the time of anger.’ 

This teaching can be extended to our relationship with technology. True strength lies in our self-control. By modelling this principle, parents can show their children that mastery over our devices is a reflection of true discipline and a strong character. 

This helps children to grow up seeing that strength is not found in having unrestricted access to technology, but in knowing when to stop, when to focus on what is more important, and when to turn to Allah for true fulfilment.