With screens virtually everywhere, monitoring a child’s screen time can be challenging. To complicate matters, some screen time can be educational and support children’s social development. So how do you manage your child’s phone time? Here’s a primer on guiding your child’s use of screens and media.
The problems with Screens
Too much phone time and regular exposure to poor-quality programming has been linked to:
- Obesity
- Inadequate sleep schedules and insufficient sleep
- Behavior problems
- Delays in language and social skills development
- Violence
- Attention problems
- Less time learning
Keep in mind that unstructured playtime is more valuable for a young child’s developing brain than electronic media. Children younger than age 2 are more likely to learn when they interact and play with parents, siblings, and other children and adults.
Developing Screen time rules
As your kid grows, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t fill in too. You must decide how much and what kind of media your child should use each day.
Consider applying similar principles to your kid’s genuine and virtual conditions. Play with your child, demonstrate kindness, get involved, and learn about your child’s interactions with his or her friends. In addition, keep in mind that your child’s exposure to high-quality media is more important than the type of technology or the amount of time spent using it.
Setting Limits for Older Children
Establish clear rules and set reasonable limits for your child’s use of digital media. Consider these tips:
- Encourage unplugged, unstructured playtime.
- Create tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtime or one night a week.
- Discourage use of media entertainment during homework.
- Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews, such as no exposure to devices or screens one hour before bedtime.
- Consider using apps that control the length of time a child can use a device.
- Keep screens out of your child’s bedroom and consider requiring your children to charge their devices outside of their bedrooms at night.
- Eliminate background TV.
No matter how smart or mature you feel your child is, monitor his or her online and social media behavior. Your child is bound to make mistakes using media. Talk to your child and help him or her learn from them.
Also, set a good example. Consider that your child is watching you for cues on when it’s OK to use screens and how to use them.
You’ll likely need to continue to guide, manage, and monitor your child’s use of phones and media as he or she grows. But by developing household rules — and revisiting them as your child grows — you can help ensure a safe experience.