5 Simple Steps to Managing Screen Time

Screens.  TV, phone, computers, tablets, video-game consoles.  They are one of the “hot-topics” in the parenting world today and an issue that most parents are having to learn to navigate.  This is a new issue for our generation – screens were never as pervasive or as integral to our lives as they are today.  It is increasingly becoming more so. 

There is a lot of research out there already that indicates that screens are generally not good for children’s brain development.  The research says that too much screen time has a negative impact on children’s brains and can also impact their vision – but how much is too much?  That seems to be the golden question.

I actually believe that the impact of screens on children’s brains slightly depends on the child.  Having had experience with lots of families, I would say that some children appear to be able to handle screen time fairly well, others will be more sensitive to it.  Some children will find it more appealing and addictive than others.  And so, with all the guidance that is out there, I think each parent has to believe that they are the expert when it comes to their child – you will know how well and to what extent your children can handle screens. 

Each family also has their own culture of screen usage.  Some families will have the TV on all day in the background, whether or not someone is actually watching it.  Others will barely have their TV on at all but might always have computer screens on.  Others yet will have a culture of the adults looking at their phone every time it beeps an alert.   There is no real right or wrong way – a lot of your screen culture will come from your family values and what is right for one family will not be the same for another. 

What is important is that you are deliberate in your screen usage, conscious of how much screens are being used in your family and okay with the amount and the effect on each family member.

Instead of judging right or wrong or dictating time limits by age group, I believe it is more practical to focus on how we can each manage screen-time in our families. 

Here are 5 simple steps you can take to Manage Screen Time in your family:

1.       Decide and set limits on how much screen time your children are allowed (per day/per week) and what needs to be done before/after screen time (e.g. homework, tidying up, etc.).  Communicate these to your children and be consistent in enforcing them.  Daily and weekly limits might vary depending on your child’s schedule, what is most important is that you determine realistic limits that you can all consistently adhere to. 

2.       Set up screen-free areas of your home.  For example, it is recommended that bedrooms are kept screen-free not only because the light emitted from screens interferes with sleep, but as a parent it is difficult to monitor your child’s screen usage if it’s in a bedroom.

3.       Discuss screen usage with your children and as a family.  Talk about why they are useful, how to stay safe when being online, and why too much screen time is not good.  If you have teenagers, consider drafting up a screen-time contract for all of you to sign stating how you expect them to use their screens (including limits – e.g. not past midnight) and the behaviour you expect (e.g. no screens at the dinner table, alerting mum/dad if anyone is inappropriate, etc.).

4.       Make time for unstructured play, downtime or outdoor activities.  Give your child alternatives to screens that will help them flourish mentally and physically.

5.       Role-model appropriate screen use and behaviour.  If you don’t want your teenagers to be looking at their phones at the dinner table, don’t bring yours there!

You may still be wondering how much screen time is appropriate? 

Research suggests that when children are engaged in screens for more than 1 hour, the composition of their brain changes and it can trigger aggressive, addictive and other anti-social behaviours. 

The general consensus is that children under 2 years of age should have very limited or no screen time, children between 2-6 should have no more than 1 hour per day and children 7-13, no more than 2 hours per day. 

During school time, I personally would recommend that children have no screen time at all during the school week, with either 1-2 hours per day allowed at the weekends or 1 family movie at the weekend.  This allows school children to have sufficient “down-time” during the school week to engage in unstructured play, creative outlets, physical exercise or other activities.

There are many positive benefits to screens – they can enable increased communication, be educational and be entertaining.  And they definitely have a place in our lives and are here to stay. 

But screen time for children is NOT the same as it is for adults – children do not have a developed prefrontal cortex and therefore do not have the same impulse control, decision-making and social behaviour modifications that help us adults manage our on on-and post-screen time behaviour. 

In short, their brains are not yet fully developed to the point where they have the capacity to manage the effect of screens on their brains. 

Helping our children to manage screens in their lives and teaching them about safe screen usage is part of our role as parents and absolutely necessary. 

Using the 5 Simple Steps outlined above is an easy way to start.

Additional resources (not affiliated with My Parent Toolkit):

Screen time and your eyes

Facts, Statistics and Myths about Blue Light