Siblings, Screens and Space: Are Kids Growing Up Closer or More Apart?

You walk into the living room and see your kids sitting side by side on the couch. Your 8-year-old is playing Roblox while your 12-year-old scrolls through YouTube. They're physically together but in completely different worlds.

This scene plays out in millions of homes every day, leaving parents wondering: Are my kids actually bonding, or are screens pulling them apart? The answer isn't as simple as "screens are bad" or "technology brings kids together." The truth is more complex, and understanding it can help you guide your children toward healthier sibling relationships.

The Digital Age: A New Sibling Story

It’s undeniable as screens are everywhere. From cartoons in the morning to homework in the evening, children’s lives are wrapped in digital threads. Sibling relationships, once built around board games, backyard cricket, and shared secrets at bedtime, now often happen side-by-side but not together as each child is lost in their own digital world. Many parents see a difference: even when kids are on the same sofa, their attention is on their screens, not each other.

But it’s not just doom and gloom. Screens can also pull siblings closer, especially through shared games, funny videos, or sending silly photos and inside jokes. The impact depends on how screens are used and how families adapt their daily routines to the digital era.

Are Siblings Growing Closer or Apart?

If it feels like kids spend more time apart, even while in the same room, research says you’re not imagining it. Excessive personal screen time, especially without shared activities, does tend to pull siblings into their own worlds, reducing the classic “team” feeling many parents remember from their own childhood. Kids often prefer online friends, gaming buddies, or solo scrolling to playing with a sibling nearby.

That said, many siblings still fight, make up, and team up, with or without screens. Occasional bickering or quiet time apart is normal, especially as children grow and individual interests develop. Gaps in age, personality, and schedule also play a role.

A “Closer” Bond Usually Looks Like:

Frequent laughter, inside jokes, and shared experiences (even digital ones).
Teaming up for games, chores, or projects.
Handling fights with quick recoveries and apologies.
Comforting or cheering each other up, willingly or sometimes with a nudge.

A “More Apart” Dynamic Looks Like:

Siblings only interact when necessary (meal times, parental instructions).
Each is glued to separate screens; rarely sharing activities or stories.
Arguments quickly escalate and linger.
There is little empathy or excitement for each other’s successes or struggles.

What’s Normal, and When to Worry

Some level of separation or rivalry is completely normal, especially during pre-teens and teens. It’s natural for children to want space, seek out privacy, or have phases of not wanting to “hang out” with their siblings. Temporary distance, grumpiness, or even screen-based silos may just mean that kids are growing and exploring.

Worry may be warranted if:

Silence or avoidance lasts for weeks or months.
There is ongoing hostility, bullying, or no attempts to resolve conflicts.
One child feels isolated or consistently says they have “no one to talk to” at home.
Shared family time is always disrupted by devices, or screens replace all opportunities to talk, play, or relax together.

Solutions for Parents

Create shared screen time: Choose games, videos, or apps siblings can use together. Watch a movie as a family, set up multiplayer games, or let them make a silly video together.
Set regular screen-free blocks: Family dinners, car rides, or an hour of “technology off” helps, even if it’s just once a week.
Make siblings team up: Give chores, projects, or creative tasks that require joint effort. It can be as simple as gardening, making a snack, or building a tower of blocks.
Don’t interrupt happy play: If they’re laughing together (digital or not), let it roll. Protect and encourage moments when siblings are connecting positively.
Praise kindness, not rivalry: Notice when kids help, share, or support each other. Positive feedback goes a long way.
Normalize individuality: Allow each child some alone time, as being different isn’t a problem unless it turns into distancing or repeated hurt.

Supporting Sibling Bonds: When to Step In

If fights get physical or cruel, step in and help set fair boundaries.
If separation and screen use become a way to avoid any family contact, seek to understand if there are deeper issues at play.
If a sibling feels constantly left out or bullied, talk openly and calmly with each child.
For ongoing issues, consider family counseling—sometimes a neutral third party helps families reset and reconnect.

Conclusion

Many siblings wobble between being best friends and arch-rivals and it’s perfectly normal. Today, screens are both the problem and (when used together) the solution. What matters most is encouraging shared moments, meaningful conversations, and supporting those small, daily actions that quietly build lifelong bonds.

Siblings, Screens and Space: Are Kids Growing Up Closer or More Apart?

The Digital Age: A New Sibling Story