Screen Time

  • Screens can be a tool, they should not be a babysitter

    While kids are on screens it takes away from their time:

    • Learning self-regulation, self-reliance, and patience.
    • Using their imagination and creativity to make up games and entertain themselves.
    • Playing outside.
    • Talking and being social with others in the home.
    • Looking and listening to the environment outside the car, at brother’s practice, etc.
    • Using their hands and fingers to color, cut, do crafts, build things, do puzzles.
    • Reading.
    • Sleeping.

    Screen time should be limited to:

    No screen time for children under 2.
    One hour per day for children 2 to 12.
    Two hours per day for teens and adults.

    according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

    Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    • Delay getting your child a tablet or smartphone for as long as you can. Because of the dopamine reaction in the brain, it starts a very strong habit that is very difficult to break.
    • Make sure you have family rules on how much screen time is allowed and what content is allowed.
    • Teach children to use screens as a tool, for a specific purpose, then stop.
    • Use screens as part of your quality time together - watching or playing together is best for development.
    • Think of screens like cake - fun sometimes but not healthy in large doses.
    • Keep all screens out of your children’s bedroom at night.
    • Know what your children are looking at - consider keeping screens in public areas of the house so you can see what they’re doing, and use sites like Common Sense Media to choose what you’ll allow (www.commonsensemedia.org).
    • Use parental controls on devices.
    • Limit screens for yourself too – put down the phone when your child needs your attention.

    Internet Safety Resources for Parents     

    Check here for more about building healthy media use habits