InternetMatters.org has resources guides for child screen time by age group.
Parents, teachers, therapists, and other concerned adults face a challenge when considering the issue of screen time for children. The internet, app, educational programs, video chat, and video games present both risks and opportunities for developing minds. How do we find a balance that helps children grow into tech savvy, responsible, media literate adults rather than a crop of couch potatoes? While there is no one-size fits all solution to this problem, this post outlines some do’s and don’ts to guide you in making decisions for your family.
DO seek out quality content for children and teach them how to do the same.
Before downloading an app (website, video game, program etc.), look over user agreements and reviews. Look out for content that appears suspicious, a scam, or “too good to be true.” Include your child in this process to teach them this skill.
If you decide to limit or restrict access to particular content, talk with your child about why. For example, “This video game looks like it could be fun but it has a lot of violent content. That goes against our family’s values. Let’s find another game to play instead.”
Encourage children to reflect on the positive aspects of using technology as a tool for learning and growth. For example, ask them what they learned from a video they just watched on YouTube. You could ask them to show you an image that they made on an art app. Better yet, print it out and display it in your home. If they are using social media, ask about who they are talking to and their relationships.
Be aware of the potential effects of screen time but DON’T catastrophize.
In a systematic review of the literature, Stiglic and Viner (2019) found that there is moderately strong evidence to suggest that higher screen time is associated with obesity and depressive symptoms. Considering these two factors together, we need to be aware that increased screen time might promote more sedentary behaviors or displace more active ones (e.g. playing outside, going for walks, playing sports, etc.) which could contribute to problems with both physical and mental health. If your children are using technology they should also have plenty of physical activity.
On the other hand, this same review also noted weak or insufficient evidence to associate screen time with behavior problems, anxiety, hyperactivity and inattention, poorer self-esteem, poorer well-being/psychosocial health, metabolic syndrome, poorer cardiorespiratory fitness, poorer cognitive development, lower educational attainments, poor sleep, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, cardiovascular risk factors, asthma prevalence, or pain. Remember, that our fears are sometimes greater than the reality of the situation. In other words, don’t panic.
DO set limits around screen time that are age and developmentally appropriate. The following are guidelines from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I would consider these aspirational, in that, no one is perfect and there may be some days when these guidelines are not practical.
Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).
Between 18 and 24 months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming 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 and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
DON’T focus only on the amount of screen time, especially as children grow older.
Talk with your child about the reason for screen limits such as improving sleep hygiene with a media curfew or limiting what content children consume by themselves versus with an adult for their safety.
Set clear expectations for your child (such as when should they ask for permission) and model good behavior. This can help reduce arguments.
DO talk about what media your child is consuming.
Ask your child about what apps, games, etc. they are using during the day. Remember that they may be using technology in school or when they visit the homes of friends or relatives.
Talk to your child about what they are seeing. Point out good behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. Make connections to meaningful events or places of interest.
DO teach children about appropriate online behavior.
Talk to your child about their digital footprint and discuss what is okay to post online. Consider how their posts can create a lasting positive or negative impression.
Teach your child not to send or share anything online that they would not want the entire world to see forever.
Talk with your child about what types of online behavior are okay and which ones are not. This includes topics like cyberbullying or sexting. InternetMatters.org has resource guides to help parents deal with online safety concerns, including what to do if your child stumbles upon or seeks out adult content, extreme/radical political content, or self-harm content.