In today鈥檚 digital age, screens have evolved to be part of the daily life of children. Smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs are commonplace items in homes, making it difficult for parents to set rules for how much screen time a child gets. Excessive screen time has proven to produce a negative effect on children鈥檚 overall health, leading to issues such as poor sleep quality, obesity and also behavioral issues.
As parents, we have the power to change this by setting rules into place that not only limit the amount of time our children spend in front of monitors but also the way they can manage their own screen time. Take the first steps to understanding how much screen time your children should have, and how you can maximize the benefits of technology while mitigating the negative effects of screen overexposure.
How much screen time should my children have?
While children are young, parents should be setting strict boundaries as to how much time children should receive. Rules that should be considered include when, where and how your child uses technology, the amount of screen time they have as well as any consequences that could arise when these rules are broken.
As your children get older, some of these rules can then be adjusted. For instance, children aged 3-5 years may only be designated a quota of 1 hour of screen time a day, while children aged 6-11 could be rationed slightly more. Of course, these rules should be maintained and that screen time should be balanced with other activities.
What happens if my child is given too much screen time?
As noted above, there could be consequences to a child if they are exposed to too much screen time. This can include negative changes in physical, social and emotional well-being, which can cause lasting damage in the long run.
Lack of Sleep:
When it comes to screens, the blue light emitted can disrupt the body鈥檚 natural sleep cycles, making it difficult to fall and maintain a constant sleep cycle. As a result, your child could experience sleep deprivation, which then affects their cognitive abilities and capacity to focus. Over time, this will affect their sleep schedule and could lead to other health issues. When establishing rules, consider setting times for when your children can use technology so that there is an adequate break before your child鈥檚 bedtime, minimizing the effects of blue light before they sleep.
Reduced Social Skills:
The more time children spend in front of screens means fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions and communication. As a result, the lack of these opportunities means a decrease in social skills, which can make it more difficult for children to interact with others in future social situations. Over time, children with extended screen time may show a decrease in empathy and understanding of others’ emotions as well as being dependent on digital communication. When setting rules for screen time, parents should consider setting up opportunities for their children to interact with others offline, which helps promote social and communication skills.聽
Loss of Focus and Anxiety:
Having too much screen time can also cause overstimulation for children and, as a result, can affect the attention spans of children during their early years. This translates to negative impacts on how they concentrate in school and other activities, which can manifest in the form of anxiety as they are used to having a constant stream of information while in front of their screens. In addition, children may also be pressured to constantly check their devices for new notifications, leading to a fear of missing out. When setting rules for your children, be sure to encourage breaks and time offline to reduce anxiety and improve focus.聽
How To Limit Screen Time For children
To prevent excessive screen time, parents can schedule the amount of screen time for their children. Keep in mind that this needs to factor in the existing habits of both the parent and the child to ensure that these rules are maintained and enforced. The best way to initiate the conversation is to encourage open communication and clarity, setting realistic limits and creating a plan that respects the needs and preferences of everyone.
Tech-Free Zones
Allow certain areas of the house to be 鈥渢ech-free鈥� zones, such as bedrooms and dinner tables. Explain to your children the negative effects of blue light on sleep, and encourage not having screens at the dining table as meal times are opportunities for family bonding.
Replacing Screen Time
When you remove something from your children鈥檚 schedule, that space in time will need to be filled. You can encourage your children to engage in offline activities and hobbies including sports, reading, writing or socializing with their friends. If opportunity allows it, some educational apps or games offer screen time restrictions, which can be both entertaining and educational.
Alternative Entertainment
Not all activities that are fun for children have to involve screens. Activities such as board games, crafts and outdoor activities can be both engaging and beneficial. This also opens opportunities for families to create deeper connections and promote a healthy balance of technology use.
Points To Focus On
It is important to understand that technology can be used for good when rules are set into place accordingly. By reducing your child鈥檚 screen time, you effectively give them a better quality of sleep, opportunities to socialize and improve their overall focus. Maintaining this schedule depends on both your children to adhere to it and parents to enforce it. By balancing screen time and time offline, your child will be able to get the best of both worlds, the knowledge at their fingertips thanks to technology as well as the social skills that can be best honed face-to-face.
