The Princess of Wales is urging parents to limit screen time for their children to foster better emotional and social skills, a message she shared in a powerful essay published alongside Harvard professor Robert Waldinger. The essay, titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World, explores what truly contributes to happiness and health in life.
Catherine’s central thesis is that the quality of our relationships, rather than factors like cholesterol or blood pressure, is what ensures our long-term well-being. She highlights the negative impact of excessive screen time and social media, particularly on young people, who are becoming increasingly isolated and disconnected from the real world.
In her essay, Catherine explains that while digital devices are meant to keep us connected, they often do the opposite by fragmenting our focus and preventing us from giving others the full attention that relationships require. She argues that limiting screen time is essential, especially during the formative years, as brain development occurs rapidly from pregnancy to the age of five. Encouraging children to have more face-to-face interactions and fostering deeper connections will help them grow into healthy adults with strong emotional and social skills, she asserts. These skills, Catherine believes, are far more impactful on a person’s success in life than academic achievements alone, influencing everything from how they form friendships to how they raise their own children.
Catherine’s message extends beyond children to include parents and guardians, urging them to limit their own screen time as well, setting a positive example for their children. “This is not just about creating a more loving environment for our children,” she writes, “it’s about creating a more loving world. And that begins with a simple, deliberate act.”
Following the publication of her essay, Catherine visited Home-Start Oxford, an organization that partners with her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Home-Start is using the Centre’s animated films to help families build social and emotional skills with their children. During her visit, the Princess met with families and volunteers, participating in a “Stay and Play” session where she joined in activities such as making imaginary cakes out of non-food play items. Her enthusiasm for play and child development was evident, with Catherine even sharing a lighthearted moment, telling mothers, “The messier it is, the better the fun.”
Catherine’s genuine passion for supporting children’s early years shone through during the visit, with Home-Start Oxford’s CEO Katherine Barber praising her thoughtful conversations with families and volunteers. Catherine’s commitment to nurturing strong connections in families and communities is at the heart of her ongoing work with the Royal Foundation.
On social media, Catherine further emphasized the importance of human connection, writing, “Attention is the most basic form of love. In our increasingly distracted world, it has never been more important to hold on to what truly connects us – to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us.”
Through her advocacy and hands-on involvement, the Princess of Wales continues to champion the development of emotional and social skills in young people, ensuring that future generations are equipped to build meaningful, lasting relationships.
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