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A new Bluey episode has sparked debate around the topic after showing Bandit spending time on his phone to have a break from playing with his kids, Bluey and Bingo.
In Bluey’s latest episode, Bandit (the dad) pretends to read a book, while secretly scrolling on his phone. Of course, Bluey catches him red-handed: “You’re lying! You’re not reading at all!” Sound familiar?
As a parenting researcher, I’ve spent years studying why parents reach for their phones during stressful moments. And here’s the truth- it’s complicated. A great study from some top researchers asked 296 parents why they used their phones around their kids, and the answers revealed five key motivations:
The big takeaway? Not all phone use is equal. Parents who used phones for support or problem-solving felt less guilt and had better co-parenting relationships. But those who used phones to “escape” reported more stress, and their kids often acted out more afterward.
So, is it “bad” to use your phone for 10 minutes? Not necessarily. As I explained in this interview for Today Show, brief, intentional use (like calming yourself or researching a solution) can help. The problem is mindless scrolling when your child needs engagement.
Bluey’s genius is showing this tension without judgment. Bandit isn’t a bad dad, he’s just human. So next time you’re tempted to pull a Bandit, ask, Am I escaping or problem-solving? Then, like him, put the phone down and reconnect.
