Parenting with purpose

Parenting with Purpose: Why Boundaries and Alignment Matter for Families

Screens are a part of modern life - but without boundaries, they can take over. Families across Australia are feeling the effects of late-night scrolling, online addiction, and kids who are more anxious, restless, and disconnected than ever.

In recent articles published in the Courier Mail, Herald Sun, and The Advertiser, I spoke about the emotional toll of screen addiction on young people. As I shared, “I’ve seen a sharp rise in teens hooked on late-night scrolling and online addiction, and the flow-on effects are showing up in rising anxiety, sleep disruption, and even suicidal thinking” (Courier Mail, June 29 2025, Herald Sun, June 29 2025, Advertiser, June 29 2025, Telegraph, June 29 2025, The Mercury, June 29, 2025).

Why Boundaries Matter

Boundaries are not about control. They’re about clarity, safety, and alignment. Children thrive when expectations are clear, consistent, and shared across the family. When parents send mixed signals about technology- like telling kids to cut back on phones while scrolling late into the night themselves - it undermines the message.

As I’ve said in the media, without healthy limits around phones and devices, kids can easily spiral into cycles of anxiety, poor sleep, and disconnection from their families. Clear boundaries provide stability in a world of constant online noise.

Alignment Brings Strength

Alignment means the whole family is on the same page. It’s not enough to have one parent setting limits while the other looks away. When families act together - agreeing on when devices are used, when they’re put away, and what spaces are kept screen-free - kids experience consistency and security.

I often encourage families to create “tech agreements” together, rather than rules handed down. This makes kids feel included and heard, while still giving parents space to model responsibility.

Practical Ways Forward

Here are five simple, practical steps for families:

Step

What to Do

Talk first, don’t lecture

Ask kids: “What apps make you feel good? Which leave you feeling worse?”

Create shared agreements

Work out tech boundaries as a family - not just as top-down rules.

Replace, don’t just remove

Invite kids into offline activities they enjoy - cooking, sport, music, time outdoors.

Model healthy habits

Show your own boundaries. Phones out of bedrooms, dinner time screen-free.

Align as a team

Both parents (and carers) need to hold the same line. Mixed messages don’t work.

Final Word

As I’ve shared in my recent media interviews, late-night scrolling isn’t just a bad habit - it’s fuelling a wave of distress in our young people. But families can push back. By setting boundaries, staying aligned, and keeping connection at the centre, parents can guide kids towards balance, resilience, and a healthier relationship with technology.

At Embed Psych www.embedpsych.com.au, I work with families to create these kinds of practical, values-based boundaries—so screens stop being a battleground, and family life regains its calm and connection.