Screen Time

Screen time is a huge issue for many people. It can affect anyone, but for children and young people, it can be especially problematic. The signs that help you determine if you have a young child whose screen time is too much are:

• Your child is desperate to get on their device as soon as they wake up.
• Your child is unhappy when you tell them it’s time to turn off their device.
• He or she is always thinking about favorite TV shows, games, or videos.
• You caught your child sneaking a device or lying about the amount of time he or she has been on it.
• He or She uses device after having a bad day.
• Your child seems to only show signs of hap­pi­ness when using a screen or seems frus­trat­ed or anx­ious when not using a screen device.
• Your child com­plains of headache or neck pain.
• You notice that your child appears tired throughout the day or doesn’t get enough sleep.
• Your child isn’t inter­est­ed in oth­er things.
• Your child is con­stant­ly ask­ing to use a device and keeps want­i­ng more and more screen time to feel good.

On average, children ages 8-12 in the United 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:

1. Violence and risk taking behaviors
2. Videos of stunts or other challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior
3. Sexual content
4. Negative stereotypes
5. Substance use
6. Cyberbullies and predators
7. Advertising aimed at your children
8. Misleading or inaccurate information

Some Steps to Break Your Kid of Screen Addiction

Step One : Have a Family Meeting to Create a Plan of Action

The first step is to talk through the decision with all family members. What is the reason you want to reduce screen time in your home? Do you want to spend more quality time with your children, avoid the negative effects, or simply just don’t feel comfortable when they look at you with zombie-like expressions after spending time on YouTube?

Get everyone involved in the discussion to stop screen time addiction. When we started to talk to my 6 year old daughter about her overuse of screen time, we realized she wasn’t feeling so great about it either.

During your discussion, make realistic goals. Some screen time is okay, and absolutely needed (in my opinion- Mama needs a break sometimes!). As mentioned above, quality educational programs can have positive effects.

If you are unsure how much screen time is acceptable, listen to the experts. In regard to daily limits, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

Toddlers: focus on physical playtime for babies and toddlers and only use educational media with young children 18 months and older.

Young Kids Ages 2 and 5: screen time should not exceed one hour per day and needs to involve the parent who can help their child learn from educational programs.

Ages 6 and older: place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.

Step Two: Plan for a Day to Initiate Rehabilitation

Choose a date, in advance, to start your action plan. This will give your children time to prepare and come to terms with the new lifestyle routine.

Step Three: Make a List of “Things to do Instead”

To make the transition easier, create a list of alternative activities.

When we reduced screen time in our home, my children were a little lost. They would ask my husband and I, “So what do we do now?” By preparing a list of ideas, your child can have easy go-to options to replace the void.

I purchased the following simple items and put them in a bin for my children to encourage play and face-to-face interactions. I told them to check the bin when they were looking for something to do:

Sports equipment: Wiffle Ball Set, soccer ball

Outdoor toys: Chalk, bubbles, balloons

Indoor activities: Lego’s, Play-Doh , coloring books

Then, when you get started, set your child’s screen time daily limit and stick to it them.

If your child has screen time issues, consult with your pediatrician or family physician. If problems persist, ask for a referral to a qualified mental health professional.