This Is How Much Screen Time Kids Should Actually Have
It’s no secret that kids are now attached to their screens. Whether it’s the TV, a tablet, computer, or smartphone, screen time for Minis is almost inevitable, especially if they have older siblings or spend a lot of time at a grandparent’s house. We went straight to the source-Scott Steinberg, author of The Modern Parent’s Guide to Facebook and Social Networks which reveals how to monitor television time, how to keep kids safe online and protect their privacy as well as make social networks like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter a more positive part of everyday life-to answer parents’ #1 question: How much screen time should kids have?
How Much Screen Time?
While the Association of American Physicians’ recommendation that no screen time be provided for kids under the age of two may fit neatly into the lives of preschoolers, these guidelines must be adjusted as children grow older. It’s also important to consider “bad” screen time versus “good” screen time (screen time for mindless entertainment versus for education), and whether you believe there’s a difference.
Certainly, a case could be made that a toddler watching Signing Time DVDs or a middle schooler watching a documentary about healthy eating habits is more valuable than time spent watching meaningless cartoons. Then again, you may beg to differ. Either way, take time to think about where your opinion falls on the spectrum.
Here’s the Catch
Just as kids will desire screen time, make sure to set aside device-free times that the entire family can spend together as well. Parenting experts like Richard Rende, PhD, associate research professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, suggest that the use of technology isn’t in itself necessarily what’s dangerous for kids as an impediment to healthy development.
Instead, problems can arise if all the technology and connecting is done at the expense of other proven developmentally healthy and necessary activities. From a parental standpoint, setting a good example is potentially more important than establishing these rules. Make sure you don’t get caught up dedicating your focus to your phone or other screens over your kids.
What You Can Do Instead
On the bright side, parents and teachers can both play along and engage with kids about the activities they’re enjoying on-screen. Children will love telling you about what they’re watching, and treasure the time you are able to play together. Many parents and educators love to chat with kids about books, but fail to see how apps, games, movies and TV shows also engage their imagination. Each and every one of these activities can serve as a neutral and approachable platform through which to connect with children and bond with them over shared activities.
If possible, translate the high-tech activities and games kids are engaging in into a real-life context. Case in point: If they are enjoying an alphabet tracing app, prepare some worksheets that highlight the same skills. If they’re playing games like Angry Birds at home, you could similarly set up an Angry Birds-style obstacle course in the house or classroom and use it as an opportunity to teach children about the basic principles of physics.
Tech Rule of Thumb
As a general rule, when it comes to screen time, we often suggest that children might be started off at 30 to 60 minutes, which may be extended to 60 to 120 minutes of viewing time when they reach their tween years. But this is an entirely subjective recommendation. You may wish to allow more or less time or add or subtract based on kids’ behavior.
However, at the end of the day, it’s all ultimately time spent in front of a screen, just one of many activities that should be part of a healthy, well-balanced diet of activities. Whether using high-tech devices for productivity or play, it’s just as important to know when to take a break and power down.
Award-winning professional speaker Scott Steinberg is a bestselling expert on leadership and innovation, and the author of The Modern Parent’s Guide to Facebook and Social Networks.
How much screen time do you allow your kids? Tell us below!
Stop worrying about trimming baby’s nails with these Baby Nail Clippers That Won’t Make You Sweat or read How to Know When Your Baby Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep.
Opening Image: Heather Taylor by Love & Lemonade for Mini Magazine