Screen Time - What, How, When, and Why
If you are a parent, you’ve probably thought about screen time. Families often approach screen time differently, and that’s okay. Here are a few aspects to consider when deciding what works best for your family.
Children develop through experiences utilizing all of their senses, which is a main reason why screen time is not a necessary aspect of development. A screen can not replace the face-to-face interactions of a loving caregiver or mimic the intricacies of unstructured free play that support the whole development from strengthening muscles to emotional intelligence. Overuse of screentime is linked to poor sleeping habits, behavioral issues, language and social skill delays, and struggles with attention.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under age two and limiting screens to one hour a day of high-quality programs for children ages two to five years. Young children do not need screen time to facilitate or support their development. As parents, we can choose to offer screen time to children when needed - maybe for downtime, while the parent is busy, or to connect with a loved one. The key word here is choice.
Considerations for Screen Time:
What - Passive screen time can be watching a show or movie. Active screen time is playing a video game, app on phone or tablet, or video calling a loved one.
How - Is it on a TV screen with others or an individual tablet by themselves?
When - Time limits should be determined in advance and maintained.
Why - Not all shows or video games are appropriate, especially for young children. Consider the imagery, vocabulary, and message of the media children are exposed to.
Passive vs. Active
Passive screen time is when we consume media without interacting. Active screen time describes being physically or cognitively engaged with the device or media. Both have the potential to negatively impact development depending on how we choose to utilize them.
Active screen time, such as a video game or app, keeps children engaged. However, that engagement also makes it more addictive as it produces dopamine and serotonin release encouraging repeat behavior. Young children can often go into a zombie-like state when pulled away from the game or tablet as their brain “comes down” from the dopamine release and craving. Video games and “educational” apps can have a negative impact on development for young children in areas such as impulse control, attention span, delayed gratification, and self-regulation.
Passive screen time doesn’t require any physical or mental activity. When done as a group or family activity, such as Family Movie Night or deciding on a show to watch together with siblings, there is a level of communication, problem-solving and turn taking that can be beneficial. Watching media as a social activity also helps parents better regulate the content of shows children are introduced to.
TV vs. Tablet
Tablets have become more common for young children in recent years. Their portable nature makes them easy to incorporate into all aspects of a child’s daily life. However, tablets have some significant shortcomings that are worth considering. Their ease of use often leads to overuse and children spending too much time on the device. Tablets are typically held closer to the face which can be detrimental for developing eyes, leading to issues with peripheral vision and nearsightedness. Orthopedic issues can also be a concern, especially children’s posture and fine motor wrist and finger muscle development.
Time Limits
Regardless of the type of screen time you choose for your child, time limits are essential. The most common recommendation for young children is no more than 60 minutes of combined screen time per day. Consider the times of day that screen time might be least disruptive - perhaps limiting before school and bedtime. Screens shouldn’t be used as a distraction, either from big emotions or daily tasks, such as grocery shopping, eating out, or on car rides.
Content Considerations
Regardless of whether children are watching a show or playing a game, using a tablet or watching TV, parents need to be mindful of the content they are consuming. There is an overwhelming amount of media, some specifically marketed to children, that is not developmentally appropriate. Be aware of the character attitudes, language, story morals, and violence that is modeled or encouraged. What we focus on, we get more of.
Screen time is a part of modern-day parenting that is not going away anytime soon. Like most parenting decisions, it’s okay for this to look different for each family. Find the balance that is successful in your family while also considering the research available to make an informed decision. Help your children practice limits with screen time by staying consistent and sharing your thought process. A helpful framework might be All Families/Our Family - for instance, “All families make decisions about screen time. In our family, we only watch one show after school.”
Screen Time Resources: