In our modern world, where much of our interactions, information, entertainment, and even responsibilities are found and fulfilled with the use of screens, managing screen time has become a concern for many parents in their own lives and in the lives of their children.
How much screen time is too much, and what can we do to keep screen time within reasonable parameters?
Current Recommendations for Screen Time Management
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no hard-and-fast limit or specific recommendation for how much screen time is healthy, safe, or considered too much.
The reason for this lack of a daily dose recommendation is that the issue is too complex to study because:
- Children in certain developmental stages are more sensitive to screen time than others
- Every child is different (even children in similar developmental stages)
- The quality of screen media varies wildly between various activities, such as academics, work, accessing news, developing social connections, gaming, browsing, watching videos, or learning hobbies
So, instead of focusing on setting a hard-and-fast rule regarding the amount of daily screen time a child has, the AAP recommends considering your child’s developmental stage while focusing on the quality of screen time (and balancing it with other kinds of activities like in-person socializing, in-person games, playing outdoors, and physical activity).
Making the Most of Your Child’s Screen Time: The Importance of Choosing Quality Content
To make screen time quality time, parents should focus on quality content and limit or avoid unhealthy content altogether.
Unhealthy content is designed to be addictive and usually exists purely for distraction and entertainment. Examples include unboxing videos, rapidly changing images and sounds, and stimulation that consistently triggers reward systems in the brain.
To avoid unhealthy content and identify healthy content, look for the following qualities:
- Active and Engaging – Content should involve the child, challenging them to think, solve problems, interact, or create connections. The opposite of this would be passive content that a child simply watches or scrolls through.
- Purposeful – Your child’s content should have a clear learning goal to provide additional value to the time spent with it.
- Age-Appropriate – Choose content that matches your child’s developmental stage and maturity level, content shouldn’t be overly challenging or overly familiar to avoid frustration and boredom.
Additionally, co-viewing content with children can turn screen time into time for bonding, interacting, critical thinking, and strengthening relationships.
How to Set Boundaries for Managing Screen Time
Regardless of screen time quality, too much screen time can be harmful. So, parents can get creative in setting reasonable boundaries to keep screen time within healthy limits for their children.
- Start by modeling healthy screen time habits and following your own rules so that you set a good example and demonstrate the importance of managing screen time.
- Prioritize face-to-face, screen-free interactions with your children by making family time screen-free.
- Designate certain spaces in your home that are screen-free (like bedrooms and the dining table) and designate other spaces where screens are permitted (like the living room and office). Ensuring your children only use screens in communal spaces within the home can also help protect them from online dangers.
- Set a daily cutoff time at least one hour before bedtime. The blue light from screens can interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, interrupting your child’s sleep pattern.
It’s also important to maintain an open dialogue with your children about their screen time and use. If your child has a complaint or question, hear them out with kindness, patience, and an open mind. Be flexible but don’t compromise on health, safety, or the values that you most want your child to learn.
Screen-Free Alternatives for Relaxation, Fun, Socializing, and Learning
Of course, your child’s activities will vary significantly, depending on their age. However, there are lots of alternatives to screens that can help children socialize, learn, have fun, and relax. Consider the following:
- Schedule in-person playdates for your children.
- Arrange family activities like playing board games, hide-and-seek, camping, hiking, visiting the park, or visiting a museum.
- Provide supplies, ideas, and space for arts and crafts.
- Encourage imaginative play by watching the clouds or making costumes.
- Play sports in the backyard or register your child for an organized athletic group.
- Sign your child up for lessons so they can learn an instrument, dance, another language, or an important skill like swimming.
Pay attention to your child’s interests to help them find screen-free activities that they can participate in with you, their friends, or independently.
Support and Guidance for Managing Screen Time From Experienced Pediatricians
There’s no official guidebook for raising a child, and managing screen time for your child will depend on their individual needs, developmental stage, and interests. If you have any questions about managing screen time for your children, we welcome you to contact us to speak with an experienced pediatrician.
