According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children and adolescents spend a lot of time watching screens, including smartphones, tables, gaming consoles, TVs, and computers. On average, children ages 8-12 in the Unites States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours. While screens can entertain, teach, and keep children occupied, too much use may lead to problems.
Parents may not always know what their children are viewing, or how much time they are spending with screens. Children may be exposed to:
• Violence and Risk-taking behaviors
• Videos of stunts or challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior
• Sexual content
• Negative stereotypes
• Substance use
• Cyberbullies and predators
• Advertising aimed at your child
• Misleading or inaccurate information
Too much screen time may lead to:
• Sleep problems
• Lower grades in school
• Reading fewer books
• Less time with family and friends
• Not enough outdoor or physical activity
• Weight problems
• Mood problems
• Poor self-image and body image issues
• Fear of missing out
• Less time learning other ways to relax and have fun
Managing screen time is challenging for families. Your child is never too young for a screen-time plan. Start when they are young so they know the rules and know what to expect. Until 18 months of age only allow video chatting along with an adult (such as with a parent who is out of town). Ages 18-24 months should only have screen time that is educational programming and is watched with a caregiver. For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days. For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens. Turn off all screens during family meals and outings. Learn about and use parental controls. Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters or to stop tantrums. Turn off screens 30-60 minutes before bed and do not allow screens in bedrooms.
Some baseline rules would include screen free times and zones within the family and home. Plan media free times such as family dinners, while doing homework, or on outings to stores. Another example would be to decide on media-free, unplugged locations in homes, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. As a parent or caregiver, set a good example and turn off your screens or set your phone to do not disturb during family time. Share this information with all caregivers including grandparents so everyone is on the same page.
The key takeaway is to find a healthy balance that works best for your children and family. Children need healthy boundaries and that includes screen time. Children learn best by face to face interactions with other children and adults. Development and health can be affected by too much screen time. Screen time affects how children feel, learn, think and behave. Make a long-term investment in your children’s health and well being by setting up a plan and talking about it regularly.
Other resources include: www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan
commonsensemedia.org
aacap.org
Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.
