The 181,000-Hour Reality: What Children Born in 2025 Will Face and How We Can Make a Change

In the coming years, children born in 2025 are projected to spend an astounding 181,000 hours on screens over the course of their lives—about 21 years. This immense amount of screen time is the result of the increasingly digital world that children are growing up in. While technology offers countless benefits, from learning opportunities to global connectivity, excessive screen use also poses significant challenges to children’s physical, mental, and social development. It’s essential that we take action now to ensure that children grow up with a healthy balance between the digital and physical worlds.

The Digital Transformation of Childhood
Today, screens are central to how kids learn, play, and socialize. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, with online learning and virtual socialising becoming commonplace. For children born in 2025, technology will be even more integrated into their daily lives. However, as screen time increases, so do concerns about its negative impacts. Studies link excessive screen use to issues like poor posture, disrupted sleep, and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, too much time spent on devices can hinder the development of essential social skills, as face-to-face interactions become less frequent.

Finding a Healthy Balance
While it’s unrealistic to eliminate screens entirely, we must find a way to balance screen time with real-world experiences that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are a few strategies to help kids grow up in a world that’s both digitally enriched and health-conscious.

1. Foster Digital Literacy, Not Just Screen Time Limits
Instead of focusing solely on limiting screen time, we should prioritise digital literacy. Teaching children how to use technology creatively and responsibly can transform screen time from passive consumption to active, skill-building experiences. Encouraging them to create digital art, learn to code, or explore interactive learning platforms empowers them to engage meaningfully with technology.

2. Encourage Physical Activity and Outdoor Play
To balance screen time, it’s important that children spend time outside, engaging in physical play and connecting with nature. Physical activity supports both mental and physical health and helps children develop critical motor skills. Schools and communities can support this by providing more opportunities for outdoor activities and sports that promote a healthy lifestyle.