As parents, we want our children to grow up curious, connected, and emotionally healthy. But in a world filled with screens, ever-evolving social media, and a seemingly endless supply of dopamine-inducing content being served to our kids online, knowing how to protect our children and taking a modern approach can leave parents and caregivers feeling confused.
A recent study was published by the American Psychological Association, in which researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 117 studies of nearly 300,000 children across the world, revealing that too much screentime can lead to emotional and behavioral problems. This was especially prevalent in school aged children 6-10 years old, and a more significant impact was noted among girls of that age group.
So how do parents balance appropriate limitations to screen time while living in a modern world?
“How much screen time is too much?”
There is no one-size-fits-all option, as this is dependent on how your child and family interact with their devices, what content is being engaged, and how easy it is to put the device down. It has been generally recommended, however, to avoid screens (other than human engagement on a video call) for babies under age 2, as they learn best by exploring the world around them and interacting with other people. Most importantly, for all other ages, it is recommended to consider the quality of the content engagement over only looking at the time spent.
CommonSenseMedia, a non-profit organization that provides age-based ratings and reviews for media, categorizes screen time into 4 categories:
To help you plan for your family, the American Academy of Pediatrics developed the 5 C’s of media use. When deciding what is right for your family, consider these 5 things:
Child
Who is your child and what are they like? How do they utilize their media devices? Are they exhibiting any anxiety or behavioral issues? Knowing your child’s individual situation will help you take next steps.
Content
What is your child engaging with on their screen? Do they use social media, watch educational videos, play games, a mix of it all? Are they scrolling, interacting, speaking with people they know or don’t know? What is the content like? Educational? Violent? Rude? Setting unrealistic expectations? Does the content have an end-point or is it designed for nonstop use? Understanding what your child is currently engaging with, as well as what they like to do, will help determine your path forward. Common Sense Media is a good place to help build your library of age-appropriate content and find alternatives to the content that is not benefiting your child.
Calm
How does your child chill out or fall asleep? If devices are how they unwind, and turning them off results in a meltdown, consider slowly implementing new methods to reduce their reliance on screens for comfort.
Crowding Out
Is your family screen time dominating time that can be spent doing other beneficial activities, like play time, making friends, family conversation, education, or sleep? Games, videos, and social media have a lot of ways to keep your child engaged on their devices – longer than they may have planned for – without them even noticing. Take this into account for your family screentime plan.
Communication
Make discussion about responsible use of media, screens, and time a regular conversation in your house. Ongoing, low-stakes conversation (not only when it becomes a problem) about responsible use will keep behaviors in check, and help children be mindful about their time spent by pausing to make better decisions over time. They may not always get it right, but ongoing communication is good intervention. Consider making a family media plan together. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a tool to help you do this, linked here.
Can screentime be beneficial?
Yes! Our screen devices open our lives up to a worldwide library of information, creativity, and human connection. Screens can also help us engage with loved ones who we may not be able to see in person. The keys to safe screentime are moderation, curation of content, and boundaries. Seek out educational and interactive content, like puzzles, quizzes, creative outlets, reading, or language learning. Not sure where to start? Websites like Commonsensemedia.com, pbs.org, and sesameworkshop.org provide additional guidance for websites and apps suitable for children at various ages.
Tips for Avoiding Screentime Dependency
- Leave phones, tablets, and TVs outside of the bedroom and charge them in a universal space overnight. If your child needs an alarm clock, the “old-fashioned” kind can still be purchased!
- Create a buffer between screen time and bed time. Consider turning off all screen devices at least 30 minutes before a child is expected to go to sleep.
- Avoid giving screens when children are expected to be engaging with others, like at meal times or during social events.
- Continuously monitor what your child (of any age) is engaging with on their device. With many social apps providing the opportunity to engage with strangers, video streaming services automatically playing new videos, and endless availability of social media, it can be difficult to put devices down.
- Make conversations about screentime and responsible media use an ongoing conversation among your family, ensuring that you and other adults in your home also model good behaviors when it comes to media engagement and device use.
What alternatives to screen time are recommended?
Opt for a mix of structured and unstructured play for all ages. Taking a weekly course, sport, or other activity will keep them away from mindless use of screen devices and allow them to build relationships in person. If the activity requires practice, and the child is passionate about the activity, more time can be set aside to practice their skills alone or with a friend.
Unstructured play can be as simple as going out into the backyard, taking a walk, going to a playground, creating art, or playing make-believe. Unstructured play is an activity where the child determines what they will be doing without direct adult guidance, rules, or supervision (other than for safety purposes). Besides taking up time that could otherwise be occupied with a screen, promoting unstructured play time allows children of all ages to come up with their own solutions to combat feelings of boredom. People often turn to devices when they are bored, and unstructured play alternatives can help prevent screens from being the solution to boredom.
Should I throw away our devices?
You don’t have to throw away your devices. The modern solution is to understand your family’s and your child’s individual circumstances and develop guidelines and guardrails in moderation that meets you where you are. Most importantly, lead by example! The boundaries you set for your child should be boundaries that you set for the adults in your home as well. Modeling good behavior sets the foundation for your children to be able to enforce their own healthy behaviors and follow your guidance.
Setting boundaries, introducing educational and beneficial content, and modeling good behaviors will help us to set our children up for success in their emotional and social health. The most important thing to consider for your child and their media use is moderation and quality of digital media intake. Still need help navigating the journey? The pediatricians and team of pediatric professionals at Concierge Pediatrics are here to help you build a roadmap that works for your family.
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