Welcome to November; it’s cold and dark early in the day. While there is really no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes, and we’d all benefit from spending a bit more time outside, the unfortunate reality is that many of us hibernate inside for much of the fall and winter. Along with this, we may also find ourselves filling more of our time with screens. While technology enhances our lives by connecting us with family, friends and information from around the world, it is also a worthy idea to set boundaries on its use. But technology is so deeply ingrained with most of our daily lives, do we really know just how much time we spend on screens. How do we know what is too much? How do we evaluate the content of what our children are viewing aside from general rating systems? Do we have to preview everything our kids watch and play?
Fortunately there are numerous resources available to help parents understand how to be media savvy and to help their children develop the same skills. A helpful place to start is understanding how much screen time children should have in their daily schedule. The American Academy of Pediatrics has developmental recommendations for media use by school-age children and adolescents and media use in children under age 5. Along with these general guidelines, you can make use of an online family media use planner, which can help structure screen time within the other requirements of the day including making sure there is adequate time for the appropriate amount of sleep based upon your child’s age and screen free activities. For those with school-aged children and adolescents who may be unsupervised more often, a media use contract can be a handy tool to set guidelines around what content is viewed, how much time is spent with screen based media, and to establish other general guidelines for good digital citizenship. When it comes to content, the IMDB Parents Guide and Common Sense Media are great resources to evaluate the themes presented in various media forms (books included on Common Sense Media).
Article written by MCS parent, Dr. Melissa DeVries, P.h.D.
We recently had the privilege of hosting a Parent Education Event where a panel of experts prepared and presented information related to the use of screens in the home. Below you can find some important take aways from that event. Should you want further information from the event, you can find copies of the handouts on the Scholastic News table in the school lobby.
Current research indicates the use of screens and an investment in social media my be impacting children’s ability to regulate emotion and the things kids are missing out on are worth taking a second look at as we establish the patterns around media in the home. Dopamine, oxytocin and seratonin levels are impacted by screen use and in turn, other areas of the child and family are being impacted. The argument that we live in a time that its impossible (or even difficult) to escape the use of technology is worth considering. But does it have to be all or nothing? Like all parenting decisions, we recommend mindfulness in creating structure around your family’s approach to technology in the home.
Bottom line, we all have a lot to learn about the advantages versus the disadvantages of screen time and we are a new generation of parents, paving the way. The best way to navigate such circumstances is to stick together, share our successes, and keep trying. Inevitably, we will make mistakes but here’s to creating balance and growing healthy, happy and creative kids!
Below is a quick guide for your reference:
Risks of overuse or early use of screens:
Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood aged children:
Language delay (acquisition and use)
Behavior concerns
Low threshold for frustration
Short attention span
Lack of interest
Aggression
Sleep and self-soothing issues
Sedentary lifestyle
Cognitive delay
Memory issues
Delayed social development.
Elementary and Adolescent aged children:
Increased attentional difficulties
Reduced engagement between parent and child
Reduced face-to-face interactions, outdoor play (with benefits of problem solving, creativity and exercise), reading, homework completion, participation in chores, and sleep
Earlier sexual debut and sexual risk taking behavior (by those who view sexualized media content) due to accelerating the normal rise in sensation seeking seen in adolescence
Sleep disturbance (most significantly those with increased daytime and nighttime screen use, especially for those with a television/electronic devices in their bedroom)
Sleep deprivation is in turn linked with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, academic underachievement and behavior problems including hyperactivity
Increased verbal and physical aggression and propensity for later violence (for those viewing violent content), misinterpretation of others’ behavior as negative or hostile, decreased empathy, less pro-social behavior, increase in violent reactions to confrontation
Increased exposure to foodstuff based advertisements (average is 1 public service announcement on health/nutrition for every 26 food commercials; young children have been shown to select items they have seen advertised over those not)
Increased rigidity of gender roles and stereotypes (depending on content viewed)
Decreased satisfaction with appearance/body image, unrealistic/stereotyped/unhealthy views of beauty and health, focus on thinness and sexualized appearances as being preferred
Increased fear, sadness, anger and/or depression in response to viewing news media
Difficulty telling real from fake news viewed through media; ⅓ of children admit not questioning the source of their news and ⅓ take no action to verify the truth of news they suspect may be inaccurate
Activation of sexist beliefs about sexual harassment, dating violence and sexual assault myths
Positive uses/benefits of the use of screens:
Using technology as a way to review and master information taught FIRST by a teacher or parent (i.e. teaching a math concept first, explaining the steps, allowing the child to practice using pen and paper, manipulatives etc. THEN practicing said math concept using a quality math program or application that is designed to aid in the retention of this concept).
Television, games, etc. can be a great way to reinforce themes of relationships, managing emotions, problem solving and resolving conflict if they are offered age-appropriately.
Structuring screen time in the home:
Co-watch/co-play with your child whenever possible
Choose media that supports your family’s values
Ask questions about your child’s understanding of what they are seeing. Assess their understanding of reality vs fantasy. Explain advertising and other concepts that may influence your child’s belief systems
Set limits on all media access (tv, video games, cell phones, social media, apps, etc)
Understand the rating system of video games (and tv/movies). IMDB Parent Guide is great for movies/tv explaining every instance of violence/gore, profanity, substance use, suspense, and sexual content. Appreciate that sexualized content/pornography is embedded into higher rated video games
Do not allow children to play video games with unknown users on the internet
Create screen free times and screen free zones within your home (bedroom and dinner table are 2 spaces highly recommended to be screen free for ALL family members)
Activate a network of trusted adults (extended family, family friends, coaches etc) who can engage your children through social media and support them when they need help
Have ongoing communication about digital citizenship and online safety
Create a family media plan based on…
open communication
clearly defined rules and consequences
parental modeling of good digital behavior and media access
clear expectations, with consideration of exceptions (e.g. do the rules change when family is visiting, when on vacation, when sick, when behind in schoolwork, when friends are over or when at a friend’s house, summer break/holidays, when there is a babysitter). Ensure that all adults responsible for caring for your children are up to speed on the media plan
Time limits
Age-appropriate application of parental controls/content filters and monitoring of digital access
Understanding that supervision and honesty is a component of the plan
Signs that indicate you may need to change your child’s screen use:
Social and relational skills seem off to you.
Your child exhibits some these symptoms:
Irritable
Depressed
Excessive tantrums, mood swings
Low frustration tolerance
Defiant
Trouble sleeping
Disorganized behavior
Learning difficulties
Poor short-term memory
Your child’s symptoms are causing major problems in school, at home or with peers.
Your child’s symptoms improve after 3-4 weeks of strict removal of electronics.
Symptoms return with the re-introduction of the electronics.
Less Reading
Less Brain Downtime=fatigue
Less Sleep
Book Recommendations:
Jean M. Twenge- IGen- Why Today’s Super Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood
