How to Manage Screen Time with Children
It's hard to ignore the fact that screens are pretty much everywhere these days, especially for kids. Screens have become an integral part of children's lives, from smartphones and tablets to computers and televisions. And while technology offers countless benefits and opportunities for learning and entertainment, plenty of parents are concerned about the possible negative effects of screen time on children.
We work with families everyday who have questions about how to navigate technology with their kids. How much is too much? Is it all bad? How do you avoid getting into needless power struggles over access to devices? Let’s dive in an consider some of these questions.
A Basic Question
According to the research, the average American child (aged 8-12) spends 4-6 hours a day engaged with screens with teens spending up to 9 hours a day on screens, whether for educational purposes, entertainment, or socializing. While screens can provide valuable educational content and facilitate communication, excessive screen time has raised concerns among parents, educators, and mental health professionals alike. But how do you know there is a problem? Experts suggest that a key question to ask is, “Am I seeing evidence that the screen is causing problems?” For a great resource on this, we recommend Emily Edlynn’s book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children.
What Are the Effects of Screen Time?
Cognitive Development: There is plenty of research suggesting that math games, learn-to-read apps, and other art and problem solving tools may improve young children's early reading skills and creative thinking capacities. That said, there are studies linking excessive screen time to attention difficulties, reduced cognitive functioning, and delayed language development in young children. It is important to note that the relationship between screen time and later developmental outcomes is very difficult to conduct and many of the studies done in this area have significant methodological problems.
Emotional Distress: Along with the challenges of studying the effects of screen time on cognitive development, it is very difficult to know if screen time (especially social media use) leads to depression and anxiety or if those symptoms lead kids to spend more time on their screens. Several studies have highlighted these links while also suggesting that the directionality of the relationship remains unclear (here is a link to one such article). Excessive screen time - particularly social media experiences that lead to FOMO or a sense of needing to “keep up with the Joneses” can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and mood disturbances in children and adolescents. On the flip side, adolescents who are stressed or struggling with mental health difficulties may also use use screens to manage negative feelings or find relief from stressors. Although some types of screen use may enhance social connections, research has shown that teens who have strong coping skills and good, organic (in-person) social support tend to use screens at a lower rate.
Sleep Disturbance: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. This is one area where the research is pretty clear - for kids and their parents! Screen time before bedtime is associated with shorter sleep duration and staying up too late in 90% of studies. There is strong evidence that limiting screen time before bedtime is very important.
Social and Interpersonal Challenges: Excessive screen time may hinder children's social development and interpersonal skills. Spending more time in front of screens can lead to decreased face-to-face interactions, social isolation, and difficulties in forming and maintaining meaningful relationships for some kids. For others, playing games together online or connecting over social media can be a positive experience - this was especially true at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when devices offered connection that could not be found in person due to distancing guidelines. This is an area where the who and what of social media really matters - it depends if screen time builds or destroys bridges betwen your child and their peers.
Over-reliance on Screens & Social media: Children - because of their underdeveloped prefrontal cortex - are particularly vulnerable to developing screen-related dependency, characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable use of digital devices. Certain types of games and apps can hijack the brain's reward system, leading to a deep longing for screentime and decreased engagement in offline activities. This last part - withdrawal from the in-person social world - is a key factor parents can pay attention to when trying to determine if screen use is a problem for their child.
Strategies for Promoting Healthy Screen Use
While screens are a pervasive aspect of our lives, there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to mitigate the potential negative effects of screen time on children's psychological well-being:
Set Screen Time Limits: Establish clear guidelines and boundaries around screen time, including daily limits and designated screen-free zones or times, such as during meals and before bedtime. One challenge parents often face is following these same limits themselves. We encourage screen free family time for all, including parents.
Encourage Balanced Activities: Encourage children to engage in a variety of activities beyond screens, including outdoor play, creative pursuits, physical exercise, and social interactions with peers and family members.
Monitor Content and Quality: Be mindful of the content that children are exposed to on screens, selecting age-appropriate and educational materials. Co-viewing and discussing media content with children can help promote critical thinking and media literacy skills. Selecting high quality programming or watching/playing together with your child is key!
Model Healthy Screen Behaviors: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in modeling healthy screen habits for children. Set a positive example by prioritizing offline activities, engaging in meaningful interactions, and establishing technology-free times as a family.
Foster Open Communication: Create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where children feel comfortable discussing their screen use habits, concerns, and experiences. Be curious about what benefits your child experiences from spending time watching TV, playing video games, or on social media. Encourage open dialogue about the benefits and challenges of technology while emphasizing the importance of balance and moderation.
Conclusion
Everyday we talk with parents who are worried about the effects of screen time on their children. While excessive, unmonitored screen time can have detrimental effects on children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development and their ability to get good sleep, devices also offer screens numerous benefits and opportunities for learning, entertainment and connection with others. By understanding the potential risks associated with screen time and implementing strategies for healthy screen use, parents can support children in navigating the digital landscape while promoting their overall well-being and development. Balancing screen time with offline activities, fostering meaningful connections, and prioritizing sleep and self-regulation are essential components of promoting a healthy relationship with screens. If you are looking for more support in this area, we are happy to help! We offer a balanced, non-alarmist, practical, and warm approach to these sorts of challenges.
