Screen Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calculates that
today’s average child consumes about 7 hours of screen time. Screen time is any activities done in front
of a screen, including watching TV, playing video games and time on computers, smart
phones and tablets. Most screen time is
sedentary, meaning you are physically inactive and sitting down during the
activity. Even really young children are
being introduced to more screen time. A
recent study by Common Sense Media found that 38% of toddlers and infants under
the age of 2 have used a mobile device, as compared to 10% in 2011.
The AAP continues to suggest limiting screen time to no more
than two hours per day for children over the age of 2 and no screen time at all
for children under the age of 2. These
guidelines are most likely based on research showing the benefits of active
play for young children. There is
research showing children benefit from outdoor play, the use of manipulatives,
and interactions with other people.
However, as technology quickly offers more interactive media, research
has not yet had time to study the effects these applications may have on the
developing brain.
The Problems
Many shows and applications claim to have educational
benefits for your children, and some of these claims may be true, but too much
screen time can also have negative effects.
Excess screen time is linked with:
·
Inconsistent or poor sleep - This risk is
increased with the use of screens in a child’s bedroom. The light from the screen can confuse our
bodies into staying awake.
·
Obesity - Since most screen time is inactive,
the more time a child spends in front of a screen the less they are
moving. Children are also especially
susceptible to commercials, so commercials for junk food and sugary drinks can
cause them to desire less healthy foods.
·
Problems with attention and behavior - Children
may be confused by things they see on television and copy inappropriate
behaviors. The inactivity may also be
linked with hyperactivity and attention problems.
·
Depression - The increased risk of poor sleep
and obesity can increase the chances a child suffers from depression.
·
Difficulties recognizing emotions in others - UCLA
researchers studied 6th graders from a public school in Southern
California. Researchers found that
students who spent 5 days without access to electronic devices were better at
reading facial emotions and nonverbal cues than those that continued to use
their devices.
Most governments recommend limiting screen time for children
and not allowing screen time for children under 2 or 3. Some governments have even made excess screen
time illegal.
Additionally, parents sometimes have assumptions about media
use that could cause them to use screen time poorly. Studies have shown that content claiming to
be educational does not always have the intended effect. Some children may be able to repeat words
heard from a DVD but others will have no benefit from this screen time. Another study focusing on Clifford the Big Red Dog asked kindergarteners
to watch an episode intending to teach that friendship can overcome physical
differences as Clifford befriends a dog with three legs. Since the majority of the episode dealt with
the dog’s physical differences, children seemed to be too engrossed with the
differences to catch the intended lesson.
Background television, especially if it is adult themed,
also is a problem even if your child doesn’t appear to be paying attention to
it. Children tended to perform poorly on
cognitive tests with exposure to adult-oriented television. One theory assumes the child’s mind is busy
trying to figure out what is going on in the show, but they do not have the
background knowledge to process this. A
study by Garrison and Christakis reported in the 2012 issue of Pediatrics also suggests that a
reduction in exposure to violent or adult-oriented television shows produced
better sleep in children.
The Benefits
For years, the AAP has recommended reducing screen time for
children under the age of 2 and removing all screen time for children under the
age of 2. However, as many parents who
have had a screaming child in a waiting room or on a flight or have needed a
few moments to do something else like prepare a meal, take a shower, or help a
sibling, sometimes screens provide those few moments of distraction to calm a
child. Do we suffer through the tears or
face guilt over the damage this screen time could be causing our child? Isn’t there some benefit or way to create a
positive media experience for our child?
·
Web cam interactions – When family members are
far away, technology can keep families and friends connected across the
distance. Although these experiences may
not be the same as playing and interacting up close, studies like the one in Child Development in 2013 have shown
that these video interactions can help children form or keep bonds and even
increase vocabulary.
·
Cuddle time and dialogue opportunity –
Recommendations from the AAP and others don’t always take into account the fact
that screen time doesn’t have to mean the screen is baby-sitting your
child. You can take the opportunity to
cuddle with your child and talk about what your child is doing or
watching. For those that don’t always
know what to talk about with their young child, this could be the key to start
a conversation.
·
Early lessons in media consumption – We have to
recognize that television, computers and smart phones or tablets aren’t going
away. We can use screen time to help our
children develop positive habits in media consumption.
·
Age-appropriate interactive screen time – Studies
exist which show very young children can benefit from certain age-appropriate
media, especially when parents and children interact during screen time. Researchers have found that when children
under the age of 2 watched educational television, it did not negatively affect
their attention span; although the presentation of the material does make a
difference in what the children actually learn.
Each child is different, so media that works for one child might not
work for others though, but when parents are involved, the lessons do have a
tendency to last.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children
and the Fred Rogers Center agree with the AAP that children under 2 should not
have any passive screen time. They added
the word passive to indicate that they believe interactive screen time could be
alright if they are used to strengthen adult-child relationships.
Practical Ways to
Limit Screen Time and Use Screens Wisely
·
Replace screen time with other fun activities
like arts, books, puzzles, outdoor play, or games.
·
Create screen free zones or times in the
home. Meal time, bathrooms (to help keep
electronics from suffering water damage) and bedrooms are great screen-free
zones.
·
Have a screen-free game night.
·
Don’t use the television as background noise. If you need noise, use music. Research shows that children playing with
background television spend more time hopping from toy to toy. Parents also seemed to interact with children
less.
·
Lead by example.
If you use your phone at the table, so will your child. Limit your time in front of the television as
well, so your child won’t want to mirror those activities.
·
Plan ahead about which programs you want to
watch. If you can, DVR them and watch
them commercial free to avoid the effects commercials might have on your child.
·
Try a screen free challenge. Go for a week with no screen time and see
what kind of new fun you find.
·
Experience boredom. When we constantly turn to our screens for
entertainment, we lose precious daydreaming time, which is important for our
creativity and imagination. After a few
moments, you may create something really fun like an obstacle course or find
fun in an imaginary tea party.
·
When your children are using screens, pay
attention to how they behave during and after use. If their screen use is balanced with active,
screen-free time and they are using age-appropriate media, then their behavior
ought to remain positive. If they start
acting out, or you notice a change in their personality, you might want to
re-evaluate the media they are using and the amount of time they spend with
their screens.
·
Explain the rules you are creating and involve
your children in the decisions about screen time.
·
Talk to your children while they are using
media. Not only will you know exactly
what they are watching, but you can reinforce the lessons you want them to walk
away with and explain anything that could confuse them. Let them tell you about what they are
doing. If they are playing a game, maybe
they can teach you how to play too. They
may not always be interested in talking, but just spending time together can be
good.
Bibliography
Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina
