How to reduce your family’s screen time ■■ Conduct an audit to establish just how many hours per week screen time each family member has ■■ Talk and agree as a family on what is an acceptable amount ■■ Put it in writing and display the agreement somewhere prominent ■■ Lead by example. Remember your phone has a screen!
4 What happened to the garden? The average 5 to 18-year old in Australia spends between two and three hours a day looking at screens for recreation.
Gaming disorder For gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behaviour pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months.
Signs to watch out for ■■ Changes in mood and increased irritability ■■ Difficulty sleeping ■■ Loss of appetite ■■ Lack of energy ■■ Reduced social circle
