“It’s a great question, but I need to be honest up front and say, folks, I think the phrase is the horse has bolted. We live in a tech world,” said the National Grandparenthood Movement’s Ian Barnett.

That doesn’t mean parents and grandparents are powerless though. 

“We can’t avoid technology altogether, but we can create spaces that prioritise connection, real-world connection,” he said.

Creating Spaces of Connection

In Ian’s home, he and his wife have tried something many families might find refreshing. 

“When people come around to visit, they actually put all their phones in a basket,” he said. It’s a simple way to avoid distractions. 

“That means you’re not going to get distracted. That’s the problem with iPhones and iPads, you get distracted. Including the parents, including the grandparents!”

Instead, the Barnetts plan activities. “My wife has one of our granddaughters involved in making stuff, cooking, working in the garden,” he said.

“Or I’ll take one of the grandkids to play putt-putt golf. You’ve got to think about what you’ll do if you’re not going to use devices.”

The Value of Tech-Free Moments

The goal isn’t about punishment or nostalgia. It’s about reclaiming space for conversation and imagination. 

“We used to talk over the fence; we used to talk on the streets. It’s all changed. But [parents and] grandparents can model something different.”

Even the Australian Government is taking screen time seriously, introducing new age-based restrictions on platforms like Instagram and TikTok for under-16s from December 2025. 

“If a secular government is concerned about access, then we as parents and grandparents have to be concerned, too,” he said.

That means thinking intentionally about when and how technology is used.

Finding Balance, Not Banning Devices

While some may dream of a completely screen-free zone, Ian warned against extremes. 

“Can I live in Utopia where there’s actually no technology whatsoever in my home? Probably not,” he laughed.

He pointed out that technology has its place, even for bonding. 

“I bought a Nintendo Switch so I could play sports games with my grandkids. There’s good stuff you can do.”

The key is balance. “Technology itself isn’t the problem; it’s the love of technology. It’s how you engage with it that matters.”

Giving Kids “a taste of something better”

For parents and grandparents wanting to create healthier tech habits for their grandkids, Ian offers these tips:

• Plan activities in advance. “Have things set up before they visit, it makes it easier to say no to screens.”
• Talk about what they’re seeing and doing. “When I used to push my kids in the pram, I’d talk about what they could see. Today, parents and kids are both staring at screens.”
• Set limits without shame. “Don’t make the screen so important in their lives. Use it as a reward after doing something active or creative.”
• Keep conversations flowing. “Your kids and grandkids still want to connect. They’re watching how we use our phones too.”

“Give them a taste of something better… Mums and dads and grandparents, give them a taste of heaven.”

A Home That Feels Like an Oasis

It’s encouraging to remember that a home can be an “oasis of engagement and enchantment”, not a place of restriction, but of restoration.

“When my grandkids visit, they know they’re stepping into a different environment,” he said. 

“We play games, go bike riding, or work in the garden. It’s a whole other experience. And I think it’s a break they actually enjoy.”

“Think about how you can give your [kids or] grandkids real-world experiences,” Ian said. “That’s the kind of connection that lasts.”

Article supplied with thanks to Christian Media & Arts Australia.

This article was prepared with AI assistance and carefully reviewed by our Digital team.

Feature image: Canva