3 Things Parents Need to Know About Screen Time
Did you know that the average person spends over four hours on their phone each day? And that’s just an average – many people exceed that, spending upwards of eight or more hours looking at screens. That’s a lot of time!
For parents, this can be a big concern. How much screen time is too much for kids? What are the effects of all this screen time on their development and well-being?
Today we’re going to take a look at three things parents need to know about screen time. We’ll discuss what the experts say, offer some tips for managing screen time in your household, and talk about the potential pitfalls of too much screen time for kids.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to manage screen time in your home.
1. How Much Screen Time Is Too Much For Kids?
With the rise in prominence of digital devices, it’s now more difficult for parents to control how much screen time their children are getting. While technologies like smartphones, computers, and tablets provide invaluable educational opportunities and enhanced connectivity, research has suggested there are potential negative effects associated with overuse of these devices.
Studies have pointed to excessive screen time leading to a variety of issues such as decreased physical activity and disturbed sleep. Therefore, many health professionals recommend strictly limiting a child’s screen time to two hours per day or less.
Additionally, it’s important for parents to keep an eye on the type of content their kids are exposed to on the internet in order to maintain a healthy balance between digital and real-world activities.
2. What Are the Consequences of Too Much Screen Time For Kids?
While social media can provide children with endless entertainment, educational opportunities and access to the wider world, overusing screen time can lead to negative health outcomes. Too much screen time has been linked to disrupted sleep patterns, affecting energy levels and focus.
Having a sustained increase in blue light exposure from screens can also cause headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. These physical side effects can be exacerbated if there are no clear limits for how much children are allowed on their devices each day.
More concerning is that too much screen time has even been linked to anxiety and depression in some young people – issues which they may not know how to handle. It is important that parents set up clear rules around device use at home in order to prevent any potential long-term effects on their children’s physical or mental wellbeing.
3. How Can Parents Limit Their Child’s Screen Time Effectively?
Parenting in the 21st century has its own unique set of challenges, and one of them is how to effectively manage screen time. With the popularity of social media, children have access to more content than ever before.
Parents must take action by setting clear limits and restrictions on device usage. Establishing a family-wide policy that house rules are adhered to is important, as is communicating expectations to your children involving various digital platforms.
For example, you can institute an age limit for certain apps or services, as well as providing a specific amount of daily/weekly usage – whatever works best for your family. Empowering children with the knowledge and confidence to set their own limits should also be considered so that they understand why setting such boundaries are important.
At the end of the day, willing communication between both parents and children about proper screen time etiquette will go a long way towards ensuring that everyone gets the most out of their digital experience without overuse occurring.
It’s important to have a balance in life, and that includes screen time. If you’re concerned about your child’s screen time usage, we can help. Schedule an appointment with us today and we’ll work together to set up a plan that works for you and your family.