Healthy Screen Time

Children spend on average 3 hours per day using electronic devices and 54% of parents have felt that their child is addicted to screens

Screen time can have numerous negative effects on psychological health and can lead to psychiatric symptoms: poor sleep, depression, problems with attention, problems with emotion regulation, and social difficulties.

RECOMMENDED SCREEN TIME BY AGE:

         Under 18 months old: only use for video chatting

         18 – 24 months old: can introduce high-quality programming (PBS Kids; Sesame Workshop)

         Age 2 – 5 years: 1 hour per day of high-quality programming

         Age 5 – 17 years old: 2 hours per day outside of homework

HEALTHY PRACTICES:

1.    Implement rules and limits around screen use.

2.    Maintain consistent rules regarding screen time as much as possible. Doing so successfully takes practice, patience, and time.

3.    Watch media content and play video games together with your child. Use this time as quality/bonding time and as an opportunity to explain what they are seeing.

4.    Turn off any screens in the home that you are not actively watching.

5.    Avoid having screens in your child’s bedroom.

6.    Avoid screens during meals and playtime.

7.    Avoid screen for one hour before bed.

8.    Minimize your own screen use around your child.

9.    Encourage indoor and outdoor play that does not involve screens; participate in this play with your child as much as possible.

10.  If your child is protesting screen time limits, that is absolutely normal. Make sure to encourage other activities to “fill the void” left by reducing screen time in their day.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1.    I have tried to limit screen time, but my child throws a huge tantrum whenever I do so. What else can I do? Some children have a more difficult time with screen use limits. It is best to explain the rules to your child in a calm, warm, and loving manner each time they protest. If the protesting persists for more than two weeks, discuss with your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist.

2.    Where can I find high-quality media content for my child? PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, Common Sense Media.

3.    Can I use screens to keep my child distracted when I need to get housework done? Yes. Even though it’s not always possible to adhere to the strict screen time guidelines, it is best to use screens only when absolutely necessary.

4.    Will my child have trouble using electronic devices in school if they don’t start at an early age? No, electronic devices are highly intuitive and children are very fast learners, even at a later age.

5.    Aren’t children’s videos and games good for learning and development? Research shows that increased screen use is associated with decreased brain connectivity in language and visual processing, and with delays in reaching developmental milestones.

6.    Are there any other health risks associated with increased screen time? Yes, some of the more common ones are obesity, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, weaker bones, and impaired vision.

7.    Which activities are better than screen time for a child’s development? Any activities that involve physical movement, use of objects/toys, talking and interacting with adults and other children. These activities foster development of motor, language, and social skills.

8.    My child needs to watch TV or play video games to relax. Won’t decreasing screen access make them more stressed or angry? Research shows that increased screen use is associated with poor sleep, depression, increase in stress hormones, difficulties regulating emotions, behavioral problems, and even anti-social behaviors.

9.    Can I use screen time as a reward when my child behaves well? Yes, if screen exposure is within the recommended time limits. Research shows that screen time strongly activates brain reward mechanisms and can lead to ADHD-like symptoms and even craving behaviors.

10.  Does my own screen use impact my child’s screen use? Yes, research shows that increased parental screen and media use is associated with increased screen time in children. In addition, parental screen use has been shown to interfere with the parent-child relationship and bonding.