Screens: Hide Them or Use Them? How to Support Your Child's Independence with Digital Tools

When Screens Feel Like the Enemy

You're standing in the kitchen, trying to get dinner on the table while your 9-year-old sits at the counter, groaning over a math worksheet. The phone chimes again—another notification—and your child’s eyes dart toward it, temptation one swipe away. Sound familiar?

For many of us, screens feel like the root of our struggles with schoolwork. They’re distractions, dopamine machines, the things that pull our kids out of focus and into never-ending scrolls. It’s tempting to respond by banning or hiding them, especially when we’re desperate for our children to just finish their homework without drama.

But what if, instead of hiding the screens, we reframed how we use them? What if certain digital tools could actually help build your child’s independence, motivation, and connection to learning?

From Distraction to Engagement

Technology in learning isn’t a new idea. But most of us associate educational tech with rigid teacher platforms or dry online drills. That’s because we often look at tech as a tool to control behavior—"If you do your homework, then you can have screen time.” But children between 6 and 12 don’t just need motivation; they need teaching on how to manage tasks, process information, and take ownership of their learning.

Here’s the truth: if used wisely, digital tools can support the exact thing we so often fight for—independent thinking. For example, some apps now let kids snap a photo of their lesson and turn it into a personalized quiz they can do on their own. One we tested even creates audio adventures from your child’s lesson—not just read-alouds, but immersive stories where your child is the main character. My son turned his science review into a space mission that used his name and made him laugh out loud during the car ride to soccer. That’s the kind of learning that sticks.

Our Kids Learn Differently… and So Should Their Tools

Take a moment and think about how your own child learns best. Is she a talker who remembers things when she repeats them out loud? Does he need pictures, characters, or movement to stay engaged? Does she get overwhelmed quickly with too much text?

Many kids in this age range are still figuring out their learning style. But if exercises match their strengths—listening, visual storytelling, interactivity—they're far more likely to complete them without nagging. It's not about making learning a game, necessarily. It's about making it meaningful and doable without us always hovering.

Letting Go—Gradually

If your child struggles with homework, focus, or retaining material, trusting them to learn alone can feel impossible. We want to help. We intervene. And we end up stuck in the role of tutor, manager, and sometimes (let’s be honest) drill sergeant.

But fostering autonomy includes small, supported steps. You might start with an after-school routine that your child co-creates with you. Pick one notebook. Set a 15-minute timer. Let them choose which quiz app or review tool to use.

A mom I know used to sit beside her son for every single worksheet. Now that same boy finishes comprehension exercises in the car, thanks to an app that reads the day's lesson aloud while they ride. She still checks in at the end. But instead of slogging through every task, she's able to talk about what he found interesting. That shift—from constant support to guided independence—changes everything.

How Digital Tools Support Struggling Learners

Used with intention, digital tools aren’t shortcuts or crutches. They’re scaffolds. They support kids as they build the real muscles of autonomy: attention, curiosity, persistence.

Apps like Skuli—which transforms a lesson into an audio adventure, a 20-question quiz, or even personalized audio reviews—build independence precisely because kids can use them on their own terms. Whether it's reviewing in the car, turning a dry paragraph into an engaging story, or practicing tough info through a short quiz, tools like this remove the pressure and allow your child to feel capable.

Digital Doesn’t Have to Mean Passive

Here’s a helpful litmus test when evaluating screen time: Is your child creating, reviewing, or applying? Or are they just consuming? Passive screen time (e.g., watching hours of mindless videos) isn’t the same as active screen time that builds academic confidence.

If you’re unsure, consider exactly what role tech plays in your routines. Are there moments of frustration—forgotten instructions, missed worksheets, a burned-out parent—that could be supported with the right tool? Could a quiz, an audio summary, or a silly review story nudge your child toward finishing without you constantly stepping in?

Start Small and Talk About It

This isn’t about giving your child a tablet and walking away. Frame it as an experiment. Sit with them the first time they try a digital review tool. Ask them afterward: “Was that helpful? Would you do that again tomorrow?”

You can also pair digital solutions with practices that build structure. A solid homework ritual, visual reminders, or even a shared checklist can reinforce that your child is still driving their learning—even if you’re co-piloting for now.

And if your child keeps forgetting assignments or losing focus midway, integrating small responsibilities and organizational strategies along with tech tools can provide a double layer of support. (This guide on helping forgetful kids stay organized is a great place to start.)

Rethinking Your Role

As parents, we often feel like we have to be our child’s engine when it comes to school. But what they need more than anything is a good passenger seat map and the right gear—to make the trip themselves, with us cheering from the side.

Instead of battling against screens, we can begin asking: how can tech help my child feel less defeated, more engaged, and—most of all—capable of handling school without me looming?

The answer isn’t always an app. But sometimes, the right tool, paired with trust and structure, turns the nightly battle into something else entirely: a chance for your child to shine, one small win at a time.