We asked UK parents how screens really feature on their family holidays, and the results might make you feel a little less guilty about passing over a tablet during your flight – because it turns out, everyone’s doing it. Grown-ups included.
Here’s what we found.
Rules? What rules?
64% of parents don't have any rules around device use while on holiday. Just over a third (36%) say they set boundaries or restrictions.
Fair enough, really. Holidays are supposed to be a break from routine, and that includes the daily battle over screen time.
At the same time, devices have become an accepted part of travelling. More than a quarter of parents even consider electronic devices an essential item to pack for a family holiday (26%).
Opinions on holiday screen time are split:
● 22% would love to enjoy a completely screen-free family holiday.
● 22% believe holidays are more relaxing with devices than without.
● Almost one in 10 feel their family has genuinely missed out on special moments because of device use (9%).
So, while some families are all in on a digital detox, plenty of others see devices as the thing keeping everyone sane.
Are holidays really a break from screentime?
While it's easy to assume children will naturally get a break from tablets and phones during holidays, our research tells a different story.
Over half of parents say their children's screen time decreases while they're away (52%). However, that's not true for every family.
Around one in four children (26%) spend more time on devices while on holiday than at home, with the average child under 10 spending 93 minutes on screens each day of a family break.
A few things surprised us:
● Six-year-olds record the highest average holiday screen time at 104 minutes per day.
● Even babies under one spend almost an hour a day using devices (59 minutes).
● Children in Manchester record the highest average holiday screen time (106 minutes), compared with Plymouth, where children average just 68 minutes.
There’s clearly no such thing as a ‘normal’ amount of holiday screen time – every family does it differently.
Still thinking about what might have been? Dubai offers some very effective distractions. Spend the hottest part of the day by the pool, head out once the sun drops and swap scorelines for rooftop views, late dinners and a skyline that gives you plenty to look at.
Devices still have a job to do
It seems electronic devices are most used during purposeful moments, like journeys alone.
Parents are most likely to give children devices during:
● Long car, coach or train journeys (41%)
● Flights (38%)
● Waiting in airports (37%)
Away from transport, devices are also used to:
● Give parents a chance to relax (25%)
● Help combat boredom (around one in five)
● Prevent arguments or tantrums (around one in five)
Interestingly, the built-in entertainment that comes with All Inclusive holidays – kids' clubs, pools and evening shows keeps children distracted without the need for screens.
Here’s the big twist...
... parents are actually spending more time on devices than their kids while on holiday.
On average, parents spend 122 minutes per day using their devices, almost half an hour more than their children every day.
Some parents also think the following:
● 20% believe their own device habits influence how much their children use screens.
● 18% admit they feel guilty or uncomfortable about their own screen time during family holidays.
So, should we be worried?
According to Sim Shamu, Child Behaviour Specialist at PBS ABA UK, it’s less about how many minutes your child spends on a screen, and more about what those minutes are replacing:
"Using devices on holiday isn't automatically bad, and parents shouldn't feel guilty if they're used intentionally. The concern is when devices become the automatic answer to every inconvenience, they can get in the way of family connection."
He also flags it's worth taking extra care over bedtime while you're away:
“Routines are already disrupted on holiday, so adding a screen right before sleep can make settling even harder. Where you can, keep the last hour of the day calm and screen-free.”
And when it comes to setting the mood, Sim says modelling matters just as much as any rule:
“Children notice when adults say no screens, then keep checking their own phones. You don’t need to be perfect – but visible habits, like placing your phone away at dinner, teach far more than a lecture ever could.”
A few of Sims’ useful tips for creating boundaries without a fight:
1. Set the boundary before the screen starts – e.g. “one episode on the journey, then we’re onto snacks and travel bingo.
2. Give a warning before switching off, rather than stopping suddenly.
3. Offer a choice within the boundary, such as colouring, music, or choosing where to walk next.
4. Keep it matter of fact rather than a moral judgement – screens have a place, and now it’s time for something else.
Final thoughts
Families don’t need to avoid screens altogether, but parents should think carefully about how devices fit into family holidays and what role they should play.
That’s why we’re offering one lucky family a chance to win a £2,000 Thomas Cook getaway by pledging to lower screen time on their next holiday.
For full terms & conditions see here.
About the author
Lydia is passionate about trying out new experiences. From rushing down the slopes of Savoie to quad biking over the dunes in Cape Verde, she wants to help holidaymakers get the most out of their next adventure.