“We made the buttons on the screen look so good you’ll want to lick them.” Steve Jobs
Ok, while we don’t advocate licking screens (germs…right?), it is hard to deny that screens are enticing and ubiquitous. A 2019 report from Common Sense Media found that children ages 8-12 use screens for an estimated 4 hours and 44 minutes each day, while 13-18 year-olds had an estimated 7 hours and 22 minutes of screen time each day. This does not include screens used for school or homework.
Let’s see… 8 hours of sleep, roughly 8 hours of school, 7 hours and 22 minutes of screen time, presumably children need time to eat, exercise, and develop healthy relationships… yikes! Something’s got to give.
But Is There Really A Problem?
It is true that for many screen time is unavoidable. Since Covid, the prevalence of e-learning has skyrocketed. People can connect with family members via FaceTime. Just like any tool, there are good and bad applications, and many would preach the wisdom of moderation in all things. So how do we know when there is a problem? What does science say?
Screen Time Impact
- Children who had more screen time between the ages 24 and 36 months were more likely to test poorly on cognitive, behavioral, and social development at the 36-month mark. (according to a longitudinal study led by University of Calgary psychologist Sheri Madigan, PHD)
- 8-11 year-olds who exceed screen time recommendations scored lower on cognitive assessments. (according to correlational studies)
- Several studies link screen time to obesity and even correlate excess screen time to depressive symptoms.
Statistics found @ apa.org
The tricky thing is that this use of screen time is only a fairly recent phenomenon. Both the first iPhone & Netflix became available in 2007. The way we interact with technology has changed dramatically in just 16 years. This, of course, was accelerated by the pandemic. According to JAMA pediatrics, the pandemic added an estimated 84 minutes a day to our children’s usage of screens. Most affected were youth ages 12-18.
Screen time is an important topic that has been shown to affect physical health, mental health, social interactions, and the development of cognitive skills. There are recommendations for parents to consider.
Screen Time Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have put out similar recommendations for media use. It is recommended that children 18-24 months have no screen time. Less than 1 hour is recommended for children ages 2-5. For children 5 and up, it is recommended that families consider the “Family Media Use Plan.”
Another thing to consider is the content your children are exposed to. Much like you want to know where your children are and who they are with irl (in real life), it is important to understand what they’re doing and whom they’re interacting with in the digital world. As children age, there needs to be a component of education tied to the discussion of how much screen time is appropriate for the child.
What To Do If You're Having Trouble Managing Screen Time
Many parents struggle to regulate screen time for their children. People of all ages often come to love their devices. That is why it is recommended that you pay attention to how emotionally attached your child is becoming to his/her screen. Also, don’t expect that the simple removal of a device will solve all the problems. Children need to learn to self-regulate. This is a learning experience and will take time. Encourage healthy habits such as regular physical activity, and consistent bed and meal times.
Finally, all children learn by example. Show your kid that you don’t need your phone at the dinner table and that you’re able to separate yourself from your devices without undue anxiety.
Maybe you struggle too. That’s ok. We are all learning and we all have room to grow. If you are concerned about your child, your family, or your mental health, now is always the best time to reach out. Crosswinds Counseling is here to help.
References
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens#:~:text=One%20longitudinal%20study%20of%202%2C441,development%20at%2036%20months%20(%20JAMA
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2019_8-18-infographic_final-release.pdf
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2798256?guestAccessKey=2bb83659-b469-4a2f-b60e-9480451e3616&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=110722
- Kamentez, A., & Weiner, C. (2019, June 26). 5 Strategies for coping with screen obsessed kids. Retrieved January 13, 2021, from https://www.npr.org/2019/06/20/734532122/the-darker-side-of-screen-time
- https://publications.aap.org/patiented/article/doi/10.1542/ppe_document108/329/Family-Media-Use-Plan-poster?autologincheck=redirected
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