Parent Mental Health Day 2025: Screen Smart Parenting

Modern parenting comes with many challenges, and one of the biggest is navigating technology and screen time. From social media to gaming, messaging apps to online learning, screens are a huge part of young people’s lives – but they can also have an impact on family wellbeing.
That’s why Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD) 2025, founded by Stem4 in 2022, focuses on ‘Screen Smart Parenting’. Held on 30th January 2025, this awareness day encourages parents to reflect on their own digital habits, support their child’s screen use in a balanced way, and find healthier ways to connect.
Why Screen Smart Parenting Matters
Technology isn’t going away – and when used well, it can be beneficial. However, excessive screen time, social media pressure, and digital distractions can take a toll on both young people’s and parents’ mental health.
At Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC), we know that:
- Many parents feel guilty about their child’s screen time but are unsure how to set healthy boundaries.
- Social media can increase stress, comparison, and anxiety for both young people and adults.
- Screen use can sometimes replace face-to-face family connections, affecting relationships.
This PMHD 2025, we’re encouraging parents to take small, realistic steps to become more screen smart while maintaining positive relationships with their children.
How Parents Can Be Screen Smart
Finding the right balance with technology can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and strengthen family bonds. Here are some practical tips:
- Be a Role Model – Children learn from what they see. Being mindful of your own screen habits sets a healthy example.
- Create Tech-Free Zones – Mealtimes and bedtime are great opportunities for screen-free connection.
- Have Open Conversations – Instead of banning screens, talk about digital wellbeing and set fair, age-appropriate boundaries together.
- Encourage Offline Activities – Help your child find a balance by promoting hobbies, outdoor play, and face-to-face social time.
- Prioritise Quality Time – Even 10-15 minutes of focused, screen-free interaction a day can strengthen family relationships.
How WYC Can Help
At Winchester Youth Counselling, we support parents and young people with resources, advice, and mental health services. If screen use is affecting your child’s wellbeing – or your own – we can help. Our Resource Hub provides useful tools, and our counselling services offer support to families facing mental health challenges.
This PMHD, let’s work towards a healthier, more balanced relationship with screens – for both parents and young people.