Children are spending more time with screen media than ever before and at younger ages. While there are benefits and opportunities in the digital world, excessive screen time can lead to negative effects such as less physical activity, less interaction with family and friends, sleep challenges, and increased mood problems. Parents play a critical role in helping children navigate the digital world and set healthy boundaries for their screen time.
Setting Limits and Selecting High-Quality Media
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization encourage families to ensure plenty of time for physical activity and social interaction. Set limits on screen time, and ensure that what children watch and play is quality, and age-appropriate, and that parents know what their child is doing. Select high-quality media that helps children think critically, develops their creativity, or help them connect with and understand the world around them.
Spending Time with Your Child and Creating Boundaries
Spend time with your child, and watch and play together to increase social interactions, learning, and bonding. Create boundaries and tech-free zones, such as keeping family mealtimes and gatherings screen-free, and keeping screens out of children’s rooms. Teach children to be good digital citizens, and discuss the importance of privacy and the dangers of predators.
Establishing Consequences and Modeling Good Behavior
Establish consequences, such as setting time or location limits if your child has difficulty putting a phone away when you ask or engages in inappropriate media-related behavior. Model the manners and behavior you want to see, and limit your own media use. Create a family media plan that promotes open family discussion and rules about media use.
Teaching Your Child to Be “Screen Smart”
Successful parents teach their kids three skills to become “screen smart.” The first skill is how to evaluate media by researching and exploring apps, games, and websites together. The second skill is how to draw screen boundaries by creating a digital road map with guidelines for balance and constructive use. The digital road map can include guidelines for minimizing sleep loss, safety concerns, and fights. The third skill is how to use screens for good.