Managing children's anger without using screens

When life is busy and we are surrounded by technology, it’s tempting to use screen time as a quick fix for calming irritable children.

Most parents have passed their child a phone to keep them occupied for five minutes. But a study has highlighted that this can lead to trouble later in life. It has revealed that, instead of teaching our children essential coping skills, using a digital ‘babysitter’ for young children can create a reliance on screens and lead to long-term emotional imbalance, particularly in children already struggling to control their feelings.

'While using screens is fine from time to time, it’s important to equip our children with the tools they need to manage their emotions healthily and effectively’ says Alexis Powell-Howard, Managing Director of Fortis Therapy.

Here are six ways to help your child manage their emotions without using screens:

Sensory techniques

Sensory play provides a physical outlet for emotions and can be a calming strategy that children learn to use independently. Activities like swinging, hugging, jumping on a trampoline, or squishing putty can help them channel their negative energy.

Naming emotions

Helping children understand and name their emotions is an important step in emotional regulation. By labelling emotions, parents and therapists can help children make connections between what they feel and how they can express those feelings. This helps make emotions easier to identify and manage, creating a foundation for healthier emotional responses and regulation.

Visual guides and colour-coding

Assigning colours to different emotions can be a simple way of encouraging a child to express their feelings. For example, blue might represent sadness, yellow anxiety, and red anger. Keeping a visual guide to hand can help children identify their feelings and understand that it’s normal to experience a range of emotions.

Replacement behaviours

Teaching children alternative ways to express their emotions can help prevent negative outbursts. Instead of hitting when angry, encourage your child to use words to describe their feelings or help them find a calming activity like drawing. Instead of lashing out, they can learn to ask for what they need. These replacement behaviours help children understand that there are better ways to express their feelings which will help them be heard quicker.

Preventative measures

Setting clear boundaries around technology use and implementing timers can prevent tech-related tantrums. Choosing apps or video services with clear stopping points, rather than those that autoplay or encourage endless scrolling, helps children come away from screens more smoothly and provide a level of digital detox. 

Constructive conversations

Talking to your child about their feelings when they are calm can be helpful. These conversations should focus on finding the best ways for them to manage tough moments, which will help your child feel more in control of their emotions.

Introducing these strategies at an early age will help your child develop emotional regulation skills. This will enable them to handle stress healthily, and benefit them as they face more complex social and academic challenges.

Our expert Fortis therapists are committed to supporting children and their families. Our tailored therapeutic approaches ensure that each child receives the support they need to thrive emotionally and mentally.

For more information on our services get in touch.