A British mother has sparked a heated debate after revealing her unconventional approach to managing her seven-year-old’s screen time: charging £1 for every minute spent on devices.
The mum, who shared her story anonymously, explained that the drastic measure was a last resort to curb her child’s growing addiction to tablets and smartphones. "I was tired of the constant battles," she admitted. "Now, when he asks for the iPad, I simply say, ‘That’ll be £1 per minute’—and suddenly, he’s not so interested."
The ‘Screen Tax’ That Worked
What started as an experiment quickly yielded surprising results. Within weeks, her son began choosing outdoor play or books over costly screen time. "He’s even started negotiating chores to earn extra pocket money," the mum revealed, noting unexpected benefits in his motivation and creativity.
Parenting Experts Weigh In
Child psychologists are divided on the approach. Dr. Emily Harris from the UK Parenting Institute cautions: "While it teaches financial responsibility, monetizing leisure time could create unhealthy associations with money." However, others praise its effectiveness in breaking tech dependence.
A Nationwide Dilemma
With Ofcom reporting that 24% of UK 5-7-year-olds own smartphones, this mum’s story taps into a broader anxiety about childhood screen addiction. Her radical solution—though controversial—has parents across social media discussing their own screen-time strategies.
Would you try this with your kids? The debate continues as families grapple with raising digital natives in an increasingly connected world.
