The "Digital Bedtime" Backlash: Why we’re ditching the screens for sound in 2026
If you’ve spent your evening wrestling an iPad away from a toddler or trying to explain to a six-year-old why "just one more video" is a bad idea at 7:00 PM, you’re definitely not alone.
As we move through 2026, there’s a massive shift happening in homes across the UK and Ireland. We’re calling it the “Digital Bedtime Backlash.” After years of leaning on apps and tablets to help wind things down, a lot of us are realising that these devices are actually doing the opposite. They aren't settling our kids; they’re wiring them.
The "Blue Light" hangover is real
It’s not just a hunch anymore. Recent studies this year have shown that even the "calming" shows we put on to help kids relax are messing with their REM sleep. That blue light trickles into their brains, telling them it’s midday when it’s actually time for pyjamas.
The result? The "Digital Hangover." You know the one where they wake up grumpy, a bit foggy, and seemingly unable to find their socks without a meltdown. It’s led to the "Analog Parenting" trend we’re seeing all over social media right now, where families are quite literally pulling the plug on evening screen time.
Why audio is the "Goldilocks" solution
So, if the TV is too much and sometimes we’re just too exhausted to read The Gruffalo for the fourteenth time in a row, what’s the middle ground?
For many of us, it’s audio. It’s that "just right" solution that gives kids the storytelling they crave without the overstimulation. Here’s why it’s working:
Active Imagination, Passive Bodies: When a child watches a screen, they’re just observing. When they listen to a story, their brain has to do the heavy lifting painting the pictures of the characters and the settings. It’s a gentle mental workout that actually tires them out in the best way.
Reclaiming the Cuddle: It’s hard to have a proper snuggle when there’s a hard plastic tablet propped up between you. Audio allows you to dim the lights, tuck them in, and just be there.
The Power of a Familiar Voice: There is something incredibly grounding about the human voice. It lowers cortisol and helps a child feel safe. This is exactly why we love creating personalised audio stories—when a child hears their own name in a story, or a narrator that feels like a friend, they settle instantly.
Making the swap tonight
If you want to try joining the backlash, try the "7:00 PM Tech-Tuck-In." An hour before the lights go out, all the screens go to "bed" in the kitchen.
Switch on a story instead. Whether it’s an epic adventure where your child is the main character or a soothing tale to drift off to, you’ll find that the house gets a lot quieter, a lot faster.
At the end of the day, we want our kids to go to sleep with their heads full of dreams, not pixels.
Want to try a screen-free bedtime tonight? Take a look at our Personalised Audio Stories and let’s get your little ones excited about listening again.
