The Scrolling Generation: Managing Screen Time and Protecting Our Kids’ Mental Health

“If you want a practical guide to navigating the gains and managing the risks of the modern digital environment for young people, you should read this book.”
—Dame Karen Poutasi, Experienced Education and Health Director

“Drawing on a broad spectrum of disciplines—including developmental science, neuroscience, positive psychology, international policy and parenting practices—the book delivers a coherent and accessible synthesis of current research. It provides a strong foundation for understanding the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that digital technologies present to today’s youth.

A notable strength of the book is its culturally informed analysis, framed within a global policy context. By incorporating East Asian cultural perspectives, Dr Chin presents a nuanced examination of digital overconsumption and its wider implications for youth well-being and policy development. The book concludes with a set of guiding principles designed to foster digital wisdom and support healthy technology use. With practical recommendations for parents, educators and young people, this work is a valuable resource for anyone engaging with the realities of growing up in a digitally connected world.”
—Associate Professor Zhenlin Wang, Institute of Education; Massey University

“Excessive screen time is not just a personal concern but an economic one. This book highlights risks to productivity, resilience and the strength of our communities into the future.”
—Mayor Grant Smith JP, Palmerston North City, New Zealand

“The Scrolling Generation is a thoughtful, compassionate and practical guide for families navigating the challenges facing our youth today: the mental and emotional toll of living in a screen-saturated world. We are raising a generation with screens as constant companions, shaping how they learn, express and connect. Our shared hope, as parents, educators and leaders, is that our young will not be consumed by technology, but be guided by empathy, wisdom and purpose in how they use it.

Arthur Chin has delivered a profoundly relevant and evidence-based guide. He brings together science, culture and heart to remind us that balance, not perfection, is the goal.

Having personally seen the importance of this issue in the Singapore context, where the blending of innovation and tradition creates unique pressures, I highly recommend this book. It is an invaluable resource for every parent, educator and community leader committed to ensuring the next generation is equipped with the inner strength to navigate adversity and truly thrive, both online and off.”
—Gasper Tan, CEO, Samaritans of Singapore Ltd (SOS)

“The Scrolling Generation is a timely and well-conceptualised manuscript that examines the emotional, social and mental well-being of children and adolescents within an increasingly digitised landscape. The author reframes digital well-being as a complex challenge rather than a simple matter of discipline or self-control. The book provides a valuable road map for cultivating balanced and harmonious future generations. Such an effort is crucial for developing citizens who are knowledgeable, capable and possess high moral character.

The text aligns strongly with the current shift in digital education policy, which prioritises meaningful learning over mere digital exposure. The author’s approach resonates with the [country’s] National Education Philosophy, aiming to develop balanced and harmonious individuals across several key dimensions such as intellectual, emotional, spiritual and ethical as well as physical.”
—Ministry of Education, Malaysia

“The Scrolling Generation comes at a truly timely and pressing moment. In an era where screens so easily take over our lives, this book is a gentle nudge for all of us to pause, step back from our devices and reflect. I encourage everyone to take that break and pick up this thoughtful read that offers practical, actionable ways to navigate the digital age with both confidence and empathy.

What resonated most with me were the practical processes that remind us of the importance of genuine human connection. Arthur explains how each of us, as individuals, families and communities, can play a part in shaping a society that’s kinder, more gracious and mindful to the well-being of the next generation.”
—Michelle Tay, Executive Director, Singapore Kindness Movement

“At a time when many parents and caregivers feel that technology has ‘taken over’ family life and that there is no way back, this book offers a hopeful and practical view that change is still possible. Combining global research with psychosocial insights and concrete exercises, it encourages parents, educators and young people to work together towards a more balanced, value-driven use of technology. While no single volume can address every context, the Balanced Digital Living Approach provides a constructive starting point for reflection, dialogue and action.”
—The National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI), Malaysia

Dr Arthur Chin is a globally experienced executive, educator and thought leader at the intersection of digital well-being and social impact. With over 25 years of leadership across banking, international education, farming, civil service and the non-profit sector, he brings a rare blend of strategic insight and human-centred perspective to the challenges facing today’s digital generation.

He is the founder of Digital Mindfulness, working with schools and communities around the world to promote healthier, more intentional relationships with technology. Drawing on research, lived experience and his work with young people, Arthur is a sought-after speaker on the importance of purpose, balance and digital intentionality—offering a measured and practical voice in a space often shaped by extremes.

Arthur completed a doctorate in 2017 as a Prime Minister’s scholar, has an MA (Communications) and qualifications in counselling, psychology and commerce. He currently lives in Singapore with his family, along with their dog, Oreo, and cat, Sleepy.