Too Much Screen Time – 14 Rules Re: Screen Time And Kids
Worried your kids are getting too much screen time? Here are 14 tips straight from paediatricians on screen time rules.
Let’s chat about too much screen time.
If you’re confused about the amount of screen time that’s appropriate for kids to watch, you are not alone.
A lot of numbers are constantly thrown out there for parents to debate over but the good news is The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recently revised its guidelines on screen time for kids.
So here are the details.
These new recommendations aim to offer helpful advice for parents trying to keep up with a world that has gone from Saturday morning cartoons to nonstop digital media exposure.
For years, the AAP advised a 2 hour limit on screen time for children over 2, and no screen time for younger children.
This is something that was simple enough for parents to stick to. However today their recommendations are even stricter – they recommend no digital media for infants up to 18 months, and one hour for children 2 to 5.
Parents of older kids are encouraged to consider what works in their individual circumstances (that freedom is bound to confuse some parents I’m sure!).
If you want to learn more about how to monitor your child’s use of digital media, and address issues of content and context you’ll find the answers to many of your questions in the new AAP statement.
In the meantime let’s look a bit deeper into these guidelines.
Screen Time Guidelines for Any Age
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 1 – Manage entertainment.
The limits apply to digital entertainment.
Other activities like online homework and video calls with grandparents don’t count as screen time here.
This is important to note!
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 2 – Fill up on healthy activities.
Streaming TV shows and playing video games are for the hours left over after more important priorities.
These include physical exercise, academics, socializing, and sleep.
Remember it’s important to do the important things first.
Just like adults get the bulk of their essential tasks and work done BEFORE sitting down to relax, the same rule should apply to kids and teens.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 3 – Create quiet zones.
Set aside times and spaces free from electronic devices.
Keep the phones off at the dinner table and in the bedroom.
Encourage your kids to play outside, kick the ball around or even read a book while lying in a hammock.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 4 – Be a positive role model.
I think we all know that as parents we should practice what we preach.
So how addicted or attached are YOU to your phone?
Are you constantly scrolling through social media?
Do your kids and teens see you with your eyes constantly glued to the screen?
Remember your kids will copy what you do.
So do your best to spend more time offline and be mindful of the time you do spend online.
Screen Time Guidelines for Infants up to 18 Months
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 5 – Understand brain development.
Some studies show that screen time can interfere with babies’ language development, memory formation, and sleep.
The light and sounds are overstimulating even if they seem to like them.
Life is usually easier if you simply don’t introduce the screen as an option for them to be distracted by at all.
Offer them alternative toys or books to enjoy instead.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 6 – Bond together.
What babies need is eye contact and interaction.
When you’re on the phone, by default you’re talking and looking at your baby less.
See if you can save your phone usage during times when your child is sleeping or focused on something else.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 7 – Communicate two ways.
Learning is a two-way street!
Children learn through interaction so make sure to talk with your child, engage in conversations and play games together.
Screen Time Guidelines for Children 2 to 5
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 8 – Curate content.
There are lots of apps and programs for kids that claim to make your kids “smarter”, but little evidence behind some of those claims.
The AAP recommends providers parents can trust, like Sesame Workshop and PBS Kids.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 9 – Avoid cartoons.
You might be surprised to learn that small children have trouble understanding animation.
Wait until they’re old enough to tell the difference between a cartoon character and a real one.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 10 – Explain ads.
Similarly, your toddler is likely to confuse paid ads with the rest of the content.
Have you noticed how many ads are run nowadays during content for kids?
Limit their exposure to ads if you can and if they do pop up, talk about the ads they do see.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 11 – Accelerate learning.
If you are wanting to allow screen time for your kids, education products are ideal for children starting at about age 2.
Find something you child enjoys to make learning fun.
Screen Time Guidelines for Children 6 and Older
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 12 – Teach safety.
As kids grow older, you’ll need to help them understand the consequences of cyberbullying, sexting, and posting personal information.
Establish ground rules, spend time together online, and check out the tools your kids use.
Yep, these are things that you will need to explicitly teach your kids, rather than assuming they automatically already know all this.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 13 – Be creative.
Encourage your children to develop and share their talents online.
Maybe they’re interested in taking photos, showcasing their crafts, or recording music.
When my kids were younger I used to say screen time was okay if they were using their iPads to make fun movies, that they would later present to us.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
TIP # 14 – Avoid overuse injuries.
Online activities can sometimes affect your child’s physical and mental health.
Yep it’s true.
Too much TV has been associated with depression, and for kids that are obsessed with video games, repetitive strain injury, gamer’s thumb and text neck have become common conditions.
In the end, you get to decide what amount of screen time is most appropriate for your kids.
These recommendations are simply that – recommendations that you can choose to follow or discard, depending on your circumstances.
Set what you consider to be a sensible limit and seek professional help if you are concerned about your child’s amount of screen usage.
Obviously as your kids grow, you will need to keep reassessing what you deem to be a healthy age-appropriate screen time at each stage in their development.
This input from paediatricians and other experts will hopefully guide you towards finding the right balance for you and your family.
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