Screen time
How much is too much screen time? This is a question I get asked in consults with parents and I have started asking parents how much screen time their children get because it is becoming more of a concern to me. I have begun noticing how much time children are spending in front of the TV, playing games on digital platforms, and watching their phones (or their parents' phones).
The reality is that we cannot escape screens - and it is counter-intuitive to ban them in our lives because the world is progressing faster and faster in this direction. Failing to teach children how to use technology responsibly is failing to prepare them for their world. However, the challenge that we need to take up is teaching them how to manage technology. We have to teach them how to use it and then stop using it and go outside for a break. We have to coach them in observing how technology use makes them feel, and what to do about it. We need to learn how to monitor our own use so that we are modeling a good example to them.
The folks over at screenfreeparenting.com are passionate about providing alternatives to screen time and have come up with loads of interesting activities to do with your kids instead of relying on screens. They also run a global initiative called Screen Free Week, which is happening as we speak. Click here to have a read and join the challenge.
So, back to the question about how much screen time is too much?
An official statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics states the following:
For children under the age of 18 months, avoid screen time. There is very little need for it.
For children between 18 and 24 months, avoid screen time but if it is introduced, use high quality, educational digital media and watch it with your children in short doses.
For children between the ages of 2 and 5 years, limit screen time to no more than an hour a day. Restrict viewing to high quality media and watch with your children so that you can engage with them about it and help them to apply it to their expanding world.
For children over the age of 6 years, monitor and limit screen time in accordance with the amount of time they spend playing in non-digital ways, sleeping, exercising and socializing. They should be doing the latter more.
They go on to say that it is imperative to teach children how to use the digital world in a safe way. If you would like pointers on how to do this, drop me a comment on my Facebook page. I would love to hear from you.