Spending the Christmas holidays glued to screens may be doing children more harm than parents realise, according to a public health expert who says cold weather should not be a barrier to healthier routines.
Jay Maddock, a professor at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, warns that heavy use of phones, tablets and gaming consoles during school holidays is linked to poorer mental and physical health.
“Kids today are spending an amazing amount of time on social media, on gaming and other devices, and this leads to a lot of negative health outcomes like anxiety and depression, but can also contribute to obesity and poor physical health as well,” Maddock said.
His comments come as under-16s in Australia are now banned from using major social media platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads.
Under the new rules, children cannot create new accounts, and existing profiles are being deactivated. The ban - the first of its kind - is being closely watched by other countries, including Denmark, weighing tighter controls on children’s screen use.
Turning back the clock
Maddock suggests parents rethink the school holidays through a more "retro" lens, inspired by how families spent winter breaks in the 1980s and 1990s.
For families in colder regions, activities such as sledging and ice skating can still be safe and beneficial with the right preparation. "There’s a saying that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing choices. So add more clothes, and you’ll be nice and warm," Maddock said.
Even without snow, he recommends outdoor activities such as scavenger hunts, geocaching, or evening walks to look at holiday lights.
Why winter time outdoors matters
Research shows that time spent in nature is linked to better health outcomes, including improved mood, stronger attention and better immune function.
A UK reportof over 19,000 people found that at least 120 minutes per week in nature was linked to a 59 per cent higher likelihood of reporting good health and 23 per cent higher well-being.
“You might have heard that spending time in nature is really good for your health,” Maddock said. “It improves your mood, increases your ability to pay attention, and even affects your immune system functioning and makes it perform better.”
"The benefits from nature can come in a very short amount of time,” he added. "Prioritise frequency over duration."
Short outdoor breaks, even five minutes at a time, can be effective, particularly in the morning.
How to spend a healthier time indoors
When cold weather keeps families inside, Maddock encourages activities that promote connection rather than passive screen time.
"Classic board games are still around," he said. "When I was a kid, we used to love playing Boggle or Yahtzee, and we'd play for hours."
He also suggests reflective family activities, such as sharing favourite moments from the past year, to help strengthen relationships and wellbeing.
"But whatever you do," Maddock said, "try to keep off those devices, keep them limited as much as possible, and have a healthy and happy winter break."
