Balancing Act: Implementing the 20/80 Rule for Screen Time in Islamic Parenting

Assalamu Alaikum dear brothers & sisters,

In our previous blog, we discussed the importance of setting limits on screen time for both parents and children. Today, I want to delve deeper into a strategy that can help parents strike a balance when it comes to their children’s screen time – the 20/80 rule.

The 20% Entertainment Rule

The 20% entertainment rule is not about cutting out fun altogether, but about making conscious choices that align with our Islamic values. One way to implement this is by having regular family movie nights where the whole family watches a movie together. This way, we can ensure that the content is suitable for all ages and promotes quality time together.

For the remaining entertainment time, we can allow our children to watch cartoons, movies, or series that are free from:

• Nudity
• Bad language
• Physical intimacy
• Music (as much as possible)

I’d like to share a personal anecdote that illustrates the importance of setting these boundaries. During a plane trip, my son was watching a superhero movie when he suddenly took off his headphones. When I asked him why, he said he was removing them whenever there was music because he didn’t want to listen to it. This habit was instilled in him during our family movie nights, where I would mute the TV whenever music played.

The 80% Productive Rule

The 80% productive rule is about encouraging our children to use their screen time for learning, creativity, and personal growth. This can include:

• Learning new skills or hobbies online
• Exploring Islamic knowledge, history, and stories
• Engaging in creative pursuits like crafting, cooking, or drawing
• Understanding AI and its ethical use

As parents, it’s essential to lead by example and show our children the value of using technology for good. When our children see us using our screens for productive purposes, they are more likely to follow suit.

The Quran reminds us of the importance of balance and moderation in all aspects of life, including our use of technology. As Allah says in Surah Furqan, Verse 67: “And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a balance between those (extremes).”

In Islamic history, we have the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was known for his wisdom and moderation in all aspects of life. He encouraged his companions to use their time wisely and to prioritize learning and personal growth.

I have seen the positive effects of the 80% productive rule firsthand with my daughter. She often surprises me with crafts, drawings, new knowledge about Islam, or culinary creations inspired by her screen time. It’s a joy to witness her enthusiasm for learning and creativity sparked by the content she engages with.

As we navigate the challenges of parenting in the digital age, let us recite this dua together:

.اﻟﻠﮭم اھدﻧﺎ ﻓﯾﻣن ھدﯾت، وﻋﺎﻓﻧﺎ ﻓﯾﻣن ﻋﺎﻓﯾت، وﺗوﻟﻧﺎ ﻓﯾﻣن ﺗوﻟﯾت، وﺑﺎرك ﻟﻧﺎ ﻓﯾﻣﺎ أﻋطﯾت Arabic:

English: “O Allah, guide us among those You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, take us into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless us in what You have given us.”

May this dua serve as a reminder for us and our children to make righteous choices in our screen time habits, whether in their presence or absence.

By implementing the 20/80 rule, we can help our children develop a healthy relationship with technology while nurturing their Islamic values and personal growth. Remember, as parents, we are role models for our children, so it’s essential that we lead by example and use our screens for good.

In our journey of implementing the 20/80 rule for screen time in Islamic parenting, it’s essential to reflect on our progress and experiences. As parents, take a moment to ponder:

“How has the 20/80 rule impacted the quality of screen time and family interactions in our household?”

As we come to the end of this blog on implementing the 20/80 rule for screen time in Islamic parenting, I hope that the insights shared have inspired you to reflect on your family’s screen time habits. For the benefit of the readers, I have included a questionnaire to assist you in understanding your children better and guiding them towards productive screen time activities.

In our next blog, we will delve into the topic of shorts and vlogs, discussing how to navigate these forms of content in a way that aligns with our Islamic values and parenting goals. I invite you to continue this journey with us from fitnah to fitra, as we strive to raise tech-savvy, spiritually grounded children in this AI era.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences in implementing the 20/80 rule for screen time in your households. Together, let’s empower our children to make informed choices and prioritize meaningful interactions over screen time distractions.

Fi Amanillah.

Child Interest & Screen Time Questionnaire

This questionnaire is designed to help parents understand what their children might enjoy watching, learning about, or engaging with during screen time. By identifying your child’s preferences, you can guide them toward more productive and enriching digital content.

Instructions for Parents

1. Have your child complete this questionnaire, or complete it together with younger children
2. For each question, circle the number that best represents your child’s interest level
3. Add up the scores in each category to identify which areas your child shows the strongest interest in
4. Use the recommendations section to find appropriate content in their high-interest areas

Scoring Guide

For each item, circle one number:

• 1 = Not interested at all
• 2 = Slightly interested
• 3 = Moderately interested
• 4 = Very interested
• 5 = Extremely interested

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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) 

Animals and nature	1	2	3	4	5
Space and astronomy	1	2	3	4	5
Building and engineering	1	2	3	4	5
Experiments and discovery	1	2	3	4	5
Computers and technology	1	2	3	4	5
Math puzzles and problems	1	2	3	4	5

 STEM Total Score           /30

 

Arts & Creativity 

 

Drawing and painting	1	2	3	4	5
Nasheed/ Quran	1	2	3	4	5

 

Crafts and DIY projects	1	2	3	4	5
Photography	1	2	3	4	5
Storytelling and animation	1	2	3	4	5

Arts & Creativity Total Score            /30

 

History & Culture

Ancient civilizations	1	2	3	4	5
World cultures	1	2	3	4	5
Historical figures	1	2	3	4	5
Mythology and legends	1	2	3	4	5
Geography and travel	1	2	3	4	5
Languages	1	2	3	4	5

 History & Culture Total Score            /30

 

Physical & Outdoor Activities

Sports and athletics	1	2	3	4	5
Exercise and fitness	1	2	3	4	5
Outdoor adventures	1	2	3	4	5
Cooking and nutrition	1	2	3	4	5
Gardening	1	2	3	4	5
Games with movement	1	2	3	4	5

 Physical & Outdoor Total Score            /30

 

Social Skills & Emotions 

Problem-solving with	1	2	3	4	5
others     Understanding feelings	1	2	3	4	5
Helping others	1	2	3	4	5
Communication skills	1	2	3	4	5

Teamwork                           1   2   3   4   5

Making friends                   1   2   3   4   5

Social Skills & Emotions Total Score            /30

 

Learning Style Preferences

How does your child prefer to learn? (Circle all that apply)

• Watching videos or demonstrations
• Reading books or articles
• Listening to explanations or stories
• Doing hands-on activities
• Playing educational games
• Creating projects
• Learning with others in groups
• Learning independently

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Additional Questions

1. What are your child’s three favourite activities when not using screens?

• _______________________
• _______________________
• _______________________

1. Are there any specific topics your child has expressed curiosity about recently?

• _______________________
• _______________________
• _______________________

3. What type of screen content has your child enjoyed the most in the past?

• _______________________
• _______________________
• _______________________

Interpreting the Results

Look at the total scores for each category:

• 24-30 points: Strong interest area – Prioritize content in these categories
• 18-23 points: Moderate interest – Include some content from these areas
• 12-17 points: Mild interest – Can explore occasionally to develop interest
• 6-11 points: Low interest – May need a more engaging introduction to these topics

Recommendations for Productive Screen Time

Based on your child’s highest scoring categories, consider these types of content:

STEM

• Educational videos about science experiments, animals, or space
• Coding apps and games appropriate for their age
• Interactive math puzzles and problem-solving games
• Virtual museum tours of science and technology exhibits

Arts & Creativity

• Drawing or animation tutorials
• Digital storytelling platforms
• DIY craft tutorials and project ideas

History & Culture

• Age-appropriate documentaries about different cultures or historical periods
• Virtual tours of historical sites or museums
• Interactive maps and geography games
• Language learning apps designed for children

Physical & Outdoor Activities

• Exercise or dance videos designed for kids
• Cooking tutorials for age-appropriate recipes
• Virtual gardening or nature guides that encourage outdoor activities
• Sports skills tutorials

Social Skills & Emotions

• Stories about friendship and cooperation
• Games that teach emotional intelligence

• Content that models positive social interactions
• Problem-solving scenarios that encourage empathy

Remember to balance screen time with other activities and to review content before sharing it with your child. The best digital experiences often inspire offline exploration and creativity.