Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal   

Supporting Healthy Tech Use 

At Green Point Christian College, our mission is to equip students for lives of redemptive action. In today’s world, that includes helping young people develop healthy and balanced relationships with technology. While digital devices are powerful tools for learning and connection, without clear boundaries they can quickly consume family life, affect sleep, and reduce opportunities for face-to-face interaction. Parents play the most significant role in shaping tech-healthy habits, and there are some practical ways you can help.

Last week we hosted Australian psychologist Dr Brad Marshall at our Partners in Education evening. Often called the Unplugged Psychologist, Brad has worked with many families struggling with screen time. He reminds parents that while rules and conversations are important, they are often not enough on their own. Children and teenagers are resourceful, and software-based parental controls can usually be worked around. Instead, Dr Marshall recommends hardware solutions—controlling the Wi-Fi router at home, setting automatic switch-off times, and restricting mobile data access where possible. These simple steps create healthy boundaries without daily conflict. For example, having Wi-Fi turn off at a set hour encourages better sleep and creates natural space for reading, family conversation, or prayer.

In a similar way, Daniel Sih, author of Raising Tech-Healthy Humans, encourages parents to design rhythms at home that protect what matters most. He points out that children thrive when technology is treated as a tool, not a master. That means thinking intentionally about spaces and times in the home where screens are not allowed, such as bedrooms or at the dinner table. Just as we train our children in healthy eating and exercise, so too we must train them in healthy digital habits.

What does this look like in practice?

• Use your router or a mesh system to create “bedtime” for the internet.
• Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight.
• Talk with your children when things are calm, not in the heat of frustration.
• Model the habits you hope to see, such as putting your own phone aside during meals.

By combining clear boundaries with warm relationships, families can foster an environment where children learn to use technology wisely. At GPCC we want our students to be equipped not just academically, but also in the skills of self-control, balance, and discernment. Together, with practical steps and shared wisdom, we can raise young people who use technology to enhance life rather than control it.