Kids

Why Some Parents Are Okay With Screen Time at the Table

by Kevyn Gohu
August 28, 2025

Sometimes, the reality is that the kids need some screen time at the table.

In Filipino homes, mealtimes are sacred. Rice piled high, ulam passed around, and maybe a bottle of ice-cold soda or a warm pot of sinigang. But along with the aroma of food comes the chaos of kids—picky eaters, endless kwento, and sometimes full-on meltdowns.

For many moms and dads, letting their kids watch a cartoon on the iPad or play a short game on the phone isn’t about being careless. It’s about keeping the peace, making sure everyone eats, and reclaiming a few precious minutes of calm—especially after battling EDSA traffic or a long day at work.

Why Screen Time at the Table Works for Many

We’ve all seen those restaurant ads—families smiling, kids happily eating, no drama in sight. But real life? Sometimes, it looks like kids glaring at the gulay and complaining that it’s “old people food.” Other times, it’s the toddlers refusing to sit still and testing the restaurant’s acoustics by screaming.

So, in a lot of cases, giving kids screen time at the table is the only way to survive.

And honestly? Parents are just doing their best to get through dinner without turning it into a battle zone.

Screens as a Helping Hand

Experts may caution against too much screen use, but Filipino parents know that when used wisely, gadgets can actually help:

To coax picky eaters. A quick cartoon distracts them enough to finish their rice and gulay.
To buy parents breathing space. After a two-hour commute from Makati to Cavite, moms and dads deserve the silence and space to enjoy a few spoonfuls of their meal.
To spark joy. Families sometimes share a laugh over TikTok videos or music videos playing at the table—it becomes part of the bonding, not a barrier.

Flexibility Over Perfection

Filipino parents are known for their practicality. With work schedules, household help situations, and sometimes even extended family dynamics in play, being overly strict with “no screens at the table” just isn’t realistic.

Instead, many parents allow screen time when it keeps the household running smoothly—then encourage more traditional bonding during merienda, bedtime kwento, or Sunday lunches with the whole barangay.

It’s about balance, not guilt.

A More Loving Perspective

Removing the screens isn’t the only way to enjoy meaningful meals. It’s also about being present. Whether it’s a family passing around the food or a parent laughing over a meme their child shared or news during meals, the heart of the Filipino dining table remains the same: connection, nourishment, and care.

Because at the end of the day, no screen outshines a parent’s presence. The phone? It’s just there for some extra help.

So when we see Filipino families allowing screen time at the table, let’s remember that it’s not a parenting failure. These families also know that others prefer a quiet meal without kids shrieking in the background. Screen time at the table is a practical choice that ensures kids eat, parents have time for themselves, and mealtimes are a little less stressful.