Screen Time & Mental Health | Supporting Calgary Kids & Teens
Growing Up in a Digital World
Screens are everywhere—phones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems. For kids and teens, technology is part of daily life. While screens can connect, entertain, and even educate, too much screen time can impact children’s mental health, sleep, mood, and confidence.
At Creative Sky Psychology in SW Calgary, we help families find balance—supporting kids in managing screen time, easing anxiety, and building healthy routines both offline and online.
How Screen Time Affects Kids
Research shows that excessive screen time can impact child development in several ways:
Difficulty winding down or falling asleep at night
Increased irritability or emotional outbursts
Less interest in friends, family, or outdoor play
Struggles with focus on schoolwork—especially during back-to-school periods
Heightened anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem—often linked to social media comparison
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends limiting recreational screen use and encouraging tech-free times to protect children’s mental and physical health. For parents, this often means striking a balance between technology use for school, social connection, and downtime.
Supporting Healthy Digital Habits at Home
Parents don’t need to eliminate screens altogether. Instead, try these strategies to create balance:
Set clear limits → Use consistent daily guidelines (e.g., 1–2 hours of recreational screen time).
Encourage tech-free zones → Bedrooms, mealtimes, and family outings are good starting places.
Model balance yourself → Show your kids that adults also take breaks from phones.
Check in emotionally → Ask your child how they feel after scrolling or gaming—many notice they feel better when they take breaks.
Promote offline activities → Sports, outdoor play in Calgary parks, or creative hobbies like art and music.
Even small adjustments, like charging devices outside the bedroom, can significantly improve sleep and emotional regulation.
How Counselling Can Help
If screen time is affecting your child’s mood, confidence, or relationships, child counselling can make a big difference.
At Creative Sky Psychology, our child and teen psychologists use child therapy, teen therapy, and parent-child therapy to help families:
Build healthier digital routines
Strengthen coping skills for stress, anxiety, and social media pressure
Improve sleep and focus during the school year
Increase self-confidence and resilience both online and offline
Whether your family lives in SW Calgary, Mount Royal, Westgate, or nearby communities, our therapists provide tools for calmer homes and healthier habits in the digital age.
What to Expect in Counselling
When families come to us for support, we begin with an intake session where your child feels safe and comfortable. Therapy may involve art, games, role-playing, or conversations about how screens affect daily life. Parents are always part of the process, leaving with strategies you can apply at home.
Over time, counselling helps children and teens:
Recognize how screen time affects their emotions
Develop self-control and healthier boundaries
Strengthen family connections by reducing conflict over devices
Final Thoughts
Screens are part of our world—but they don’t have to control your child’s well-being. With guidance, kids can learn to balance technology, improve confidence, and feel more connected offline.
At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we’re here to help families navigate digital-age challenges and support children’s mental health.
📍 Visit us at #5, 2005 37 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3E 3A5
📞 Call 587-331-4464 ext. 1 or email info@creativeskypsychology.com
🌐 Book an appointment online today to help your child thrive—on and off screen.
Looking for therapy for older teens, post-secondary students, or adults? Visit our sister clinic, NU Psychology in Calgary, where mental health support is available at every stage of life.
