How Screen Time Is Affecting Children’s
Confidence
Screens are part of modern childhood.
Tablets, phones, consoles, and TVs are everywhere — and while technology has benefits, many parents quietly wonder how it’s affecting their child’s confidence, behaviour, and resilience.
At Absolute Martial Arts, supporting families across Carshalton, Caterham, Ewell, North Cheam, and Redhill, we often see clear differences in confidence between children who spend most of their time on screens and those who regularly experience real-world challenges.
Why Screens Feel So Appealing to Children
Screens offer children:
• Instant feedback
• Clear rewards
• No social risk
• No physical effort
Children can succeed quickly without fear of embarrassment or failure.
While this feels good, it can quietly reduce opportunities for children to build real confidence.
Confidence Requires Real-World Experience
True confidence grows when children:
• Try something unfamiliar
• Feel uncertainty
• Work through difficulty
• Improve through effort
Screens remove most of these elements.
There’s little risk, little physical challenge, and few consequences — which means fewer opportunities to build self-belief.
The Hidden Impact on Self-Confidence
Excessive screen time can lead to:
• Lower frustration tolerance
• Avoidance of challenge
• Reduced physical confidence
• Increased comparison
Children may become confident online but unsure of themselves offline.
This gap often shows up in school, social situations, and new activities.
Why Physical Activity Balances Screen Time
Physical activities give children what screens can’t:
• Body awareness
• Real feedback
• Gradual progress
• Tangible achievement
Children learn what they’re capable of — not just what they can click.
How Martial Arts Rebuilds Real Confidence
In our children’s martial arts classes across Surrey, children experience:
• Physical challenge
• Controlled discomfort
• Earned progress
• Real achievement
They learn that confidence doesn’t come from winning instantly — it comes from effort, practice, and persistence.
That confidence transfers into everyday life.
What Parents Often Notice
Parents frequently report that with regular martial arts training, their child:
• Becomes more confident offline
• Handles frustration better
• Tries new things more willingly
• Relies less on screens for comfort
Not because screens are banned —
but because children have something real to feel proud of
Finding a Healthy Balance
This isn’t about removing screens entirely.
It’s about balance.
Helpful steps include:
• Setting clear screen boundaries
• Encouraging regular physical activity
• Valuing effort over entertainment
• Giving children real-world wins
Confidence needs something solid to grow from.
Supporting Families Across Surrey
At Absolute Martial Arts in Carshalton, Caterham, Ewell, North Cheam, and Redhill, we help children build confidence that doesn’t switch off when the screen does.
Final Thought for Parents
Screens are easy.
Confidence isn’t.
But when children regularly experience real challenges — and learn they can handle them — confidence grows in ways no screen can replace.