Screen Time

Wanda Felder, parent educator with the Minneapolis Public Schools, joined us for Parent Connect. She led us in a discussion about screen time. Here’s the information that she provided:

We live in the digital age. Our children do not know a time when we did not have cell phones and tablets. Technology changes faster than research can keep up. It is not inherently good or bad – it is simply powerful. 

• What does media use like in your home:

• What type of media/technology do  your children use?

• What is your media/technology use like in a day?

• What are the challenges of raising a child in a tech-filled world?

What the experts say:  From The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) :

• For children younger than 18 months, no screen time is recommended except for video chatting with family. 

• Use the 5 C’s of media use 

1. CHILD

Because children are all different, the risks and benefits of media are different. What parents should consider:

• What is your child’s personality? How does this influence what media attracts them and how it  affects them?

• Are they seeking out crazy content or is the media supporting artistic or musical talent?

• Is the media feeding their social anxiety or do they have a supportive friend group online?

2. CONTENT

Content can influence a child’s positive or negative experience with media. Pay attention to what they are viewing. Watch for violence, rudeness and commercialism as these can affect their emotional state.

3. CALM

All kids need to learn strategies to manage strong emotions and to help them get to sleep at night. If media is being used for either of these, think about different strategies that can be used instead.

4. CROWDING OUT

It's possible screen time is crowding out other things your family cares about.  Instead of just thinking about limiting screen time, think about what you want to increase, such as sleep, outdoor activities, creative endeavors, free play, etc. 

5. COMMUNICATION

Talk about media use early and often. This is how children learn digital literacy. Recognize that this can be a stressful topic (especially with older children) so take a deep breath, be open-minded and ask questions. 

Phones: Should we or shouldn’t we?

According to the AAP, children should be at least 13 before getting their own cell phones. A phone that doesn’t connect to the internet/social media may be a better first step.

 Things to consider:

• Preserving Childhood

• Problem Solving 

• Social Awareness 

• Knowledge of Technology

• Maturity 

• Family Need

• Is your child with you or another trusted adult all the time?

• Does your home have a landline?

Make a plan:

Discuss them with your kids. Here are a few example rules to consider:

• ​​Set screen-free zones (such as the bedroom, the dinner table) to strengthen family face-to-face connections.

• Set screen-free times (such as during homework or before bed) so the media does not interfere with learning and sleep​.

• Have a "one screen at a time" rule and turn off devices not in use to minimize distractions.

Resources:

Media & Children from the Academy of Pediatrics which includes a resource to create a “Family Media Use Plan”