Screen time for children: tech tools vs drool tools
For parents who want to give tech to their children
On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, Sky News reported that the UK government is expected to announce new measures to curb what it calls “compulsive” screen time among children. Proposals under serious consideration include a two-hour daily cap per social media platform and curfews during school hours or at night.
The UK Technology Secretary expressed concern not only about the sheer amount of time children spend on apps like TikTok and Snapchat, but also about the nature of the content they consume. Unlike current systems that merely remind users of their screen time, the proposed changes would actively block access once limits are reached.
I wholeheartedly welcome this development, as excessive screen time is doing more harm than good to children. I’ve previously written a brief introduction on this topic — ‘the gospel of screen time for children’— and even recommended the movie, ‘The Social Dilemma’ to my WhatsApp contacts.
The Sky News report was a timely coincidence, aligning perfectly with what I had planned to write to you today.
I’ve heard many parents defend screen time with statements like, “…how will my child learn to code or become a good software engineer if I can’t give them a screen early?” What such parents often fail to understand is that not all screen time is created equal. Every parent must learn to distinguish between tech tools and drool tools. This distinction is crucial if we want to raise children who are not only tech-savvy but also mentally and emotionally healthy.
So, let’s get to it.
Tech tools are digital resources that empower children to learn, create, and grow. These include educational apps, coding platforms, design tools like Canva, and interactive learning games. When children engage with tech tools, they are actively using their minds, developing skills, and building confidence in their abilities. These tools can be introduced as early as age three or four, depending on the child’s development, and should be used with guidance and purpose.
On the other hand, drool tools refer to passive, often mindless forms of screen engagement. These include endless scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or playing repetitive games with little educational value. While these activities may seem harmless, they can lead to digital dependency, reduced attention spans, and a lack of creativity. The term “drool” captures the passive, almost zombie-like state that excessive screen time can induce.
Hope you get the difference now.
The key question every parent or guardian should ask before handing a screen to a child is: Is this a tech tool or a drool tool? This simple filter can help us make more informed decisions about the type of digital content we allow children to consume. It’s not about banning screens altogether, but about being intentional with how they are used. Control is necessary because children tend to keep gaining ground in something if there’s no boundary.
For example, a child attending an online coding class is engaging with a tech tool. They are learning logic, problem-solving, and digital literacy. In contrast, watching random videos on TikTok or Netflix for hours offers little to no developmental benefit. The difference lies in the purpose and the outcome of the screen time.
Unfortunately, many parents hand children screens not for any other intention, but to keep them busy and engaged in one place so they can run off to do ‘their thing.’ But there will be no time to do those things when the repercussions come knocking later.
Provide Balance
It’s also important to balance screen-based activities with off-screen creative play. Some of the most enriching experiences for children — such as building with blocks, solving puzzles, playing chess, or engaging in sports — occur away from screens. These activities foster imagination, physical coordination, and social skills, which are just as important as digital literacy.
You should actively seek out games and apps that challenge children intellectually and creatively. There are many tech tools designed to improve memory, critical thinking, and even emotional intelligence. The goal is to make screen time meaningful, not just entertaining. And even this should be under control.
Moreover, children should be encouraged to create rather than consume. Whether it’s designing a poster on Canva, composing music on a digital keyboard, or building a simple website, creation empowers them to see technology as a tool for expression and innovation — not just a source of passive entertainment.
In conclusion, the difference between tech tools and drool tools is not just semantic — it’s foundational to how we raise children in a digital age. By being intentional about the kind of technology we introduce to them, we can help them develop healthy habits, strong minds, and a lifelong love for learning. The screen itself is not the enemy; it’s how we use it that makes all the difference.
Read some of my parenting thoughts below:
How to make a genius according to László Polgar I
Very well said, sir.
Tool tech any day! We must ask ourselves, “does this tech empower or disempower my child”.
Should your child watch cartoons and movies and play games? Why not? In controlled measures and with engagement from you as they interact with such tools. That’s converting a drool to a tool. ( some drools can’t be converted though)
And then there’s the issue of always keeping children engaged which is why drool tools are so common.
Parents need to know that boredom is a gift!