Kids and screen time – it’s a combo that is a surefire way to inspire guilt in most of us. But… does that HAVE to be the case? Are there times in which it’s totally okay? Kim Harvey, founder of the Young & Healthy Virtual Adventure talks us through how you can use a device with your kids, for good!
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Let’s be honest, there are few things that make modern parents feel guiltier than screen time. We all know the headlines: kids glued to their devices, shorter attention spans, less outdoor play. It’s enough to make you want to throw the tablet out the window, right after you’ve used it to keep them entertained long enough to make dinner.
The truth is, devices aren’t going anywhere. They’re part of our daily lives for work, for learning, for play. So maybe it’s time we stop pretending we can, or should, get rid of them, and start asking: how can we make them work for us?
As a parent, educator, and founder of the Zespri Young & Healthy Virtual Adventure, I spend a lot of time thinking about how families can build healthier habits and how technology can actually help us do that. There’s a common belief that devices and wellbeing are opposites. But what if, instead of being the villain, screens became a vehicle for connection, movement, and joy?
The one thing I want parents to know is this: you can be proud to use devices when they’re helping your family move, connect, and thrive, not just zone out.
When we created the Young & Healthy Virtual Adventure in schools, the goal wasn’t to keep kids on screens, it was to get them off them, and into the world. Our digital platform rewards kids for real-world actions like getting active, eating fruit and vegetables, drinking water, or spending time outside. The magic isn’t in the device itself. It’s in how it helps bridge the gap between learning and doing. It’s technology that encourages life, not replaces it.
Parents often tell me their kids are so motivated to earn “points” through the program that the whole family ends up joining in. They do laps around the backyard, prep a fruit salad together, or get out for a walk after dinner. It turns wellbeing into a team sport. And that’s something to celebrate, not feel guilty about.
This year we introduced a new initiative called Take 5, a reminder that just five minutes of movement or mindfulness can dramatically boost mood, focus, and energy. The science backs it up. Short bursts of activity lift cognitive performance, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen connection. And yes, your device can actually help you do it. Try setting a five-minute timer and turning it into a family challenge. Follow a YouTube dance video, a yoga flow, or a mindfulness breathing clip. Or use your phone to take turns being the “DJ” for a kitchen dance-off. Small, intentional use of technology can spark big benefits.
Parents often think balance means strict rules: no screens during dinner, limited hours per day, the constant negotiation of “just one more episode.” But balance doesn’t have to mean restriction. It can mean redirection. When devices are used to support connection, creativity, or movement, they become tools for wellbeing rather than obstacles to it. Use them to prompt movement, track progress, explore curiosity, or connect with others. A quick five-minute stretch video before school, a gratitude app before bed, or a shared family photo journal can all build healthier digital habits, the kind that help kids and parents feel good about technology.
If you find yourself handing over a device so you can finish the washing, breathe, or have a coffee in peace, take a moment to remind yourself you’re doing your best. And when you use that same device later to inspire movement, laughter, or learning, you’re doing something even better. Technology isn’t the enemy. It’s a mirror, and it reflects how we choose to use it.
When used with purpose, devices can motivate, connect, and even strengthen family bonds. They can be the bridge between learning and laughter, rather than the barrier.
So next time you reach for the iPad or phone, try swapping guilt for pride. You’re not just managing screen time, you’re teaching balance, modelling wellbeing, and showing your kids how to use technology as a force for good.
Because the truth is, it’s not the screen that matters, it’s what we do with it …and that’s something every parent can feel good about.
