We live in an increasingly digital world, so for children to not understand what screen time is and how to use it appropriately would put them at a significant disadvantage. Screen time – for many parents – is a difficult one to balance. Do you allow your children to play on their tablets and Mac computers as and when they please, or do you regiment it so that they have a better balance with their screen use?
The problem is that there is no right or wrong answer here: different strokes for different folks, which means that no matter which way you do it, someone will have an opinion on your parenting. The best thing that you can do is to cover the three categories of screen time:
- Safety
- Risks
- Benefits
When you and your children understand all of these, you’ll be able to choose the right schedule for your family as a whole. So, in this article, we’re going to talk through each of these points in the hopes that by the end, you can make a good decision when it comes to screen exposure in your home.
Safety
There are a lot of factors that worry parents about screen safety. There is a good reason that computers and tablets come with firewalls and various virus protection; hackers have a good time breaking into computers in homes as well as businesses. The best thing that any parent can do is to be vigilant about how many firewalls are put on their child’s computer. There have been numerous reports about MacKeeper, for example, that it is now categorized as a type of malware. Making sure that there are no programs that can interrupt your child’s use, could hack into the webcam, and can siphon information from your computer. Safety is essential when it comes to screen use, and you have to be on top of the programs that your child is using.
If your kids are using apps, you need to shut off all the chat features and “live” playing characteristics. Online safety is a big deal, and while the world is becoming more digitized, it doesn’t mean that you have to allow your children the chance to talk to strangers. The rules are still the same: if you wouldn’t allow them to speak to strangers in the stores, then it stands to reason that you shield them from strangers online, too. Safety is essential, and if you’re on top of it, screen time can be something safe to enjoy.
Risks
You wouldn’t necessarily think that screen time comes with many risks (other than those you can curb by being safe, as mentioned above). The thing is, plenty of research has been done to discover the recommendations as made by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The research shows that discouraging children under the age of two from media is a smart decision, while older children should have limits imposed on their screen time. The health risks are as follows:
- Mental Health. Blue light technology keeps us awake, which is why it’s always recommended to step back at night and leave the screens out of the room. Children can become addicted to technology, and just with any addiction, the effect on their mental health can be too much.
- Obesity. The more a child is placed in front of a screen, the less they desire to do other activities. Children can then want junk food promoted in adverts, as it’s shown continuously to them day in and day out.
- Poor Sleep. Children are far more likely to have issues falling asleep if they are looking at screens throughout the day. When children have screen time in their bedrooms, this problem gets worse. This will lead to fatigue and increased snacking, which leads to obesity and other issues.
- Behavioural Disruption. Children who are told no to screen time will be more likely to develop social and attention problems. They don’t like to be told no at any time, of course, but it’s linked to the exposure to games online.
- Less Time to Play. Children need more than just a screen to entertain them. They need active and creative play, but when they get sucked into screens, there is less desire to do that.
Screen time should be closely monitored to prevent any of these issues developing, and it’s up to you as the parent to set strict rules!
Benefits
Of course, despite the risks noted above and the safety issues behind screen time, there are still benefits of which you should be aware. Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits below:
- As we mentioned earlier, technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our lives, which means that we should respect it. Teaching our children how to use their screens at a young age is going to put them at an advantage in the future. They can use screens to engage in some life skills, and they’ll undoubtedly be using it at school. It’s for this reason that you must support their screen use so that they are at the same level as their peers.
- Keyboarding can help some children to get their thoughts down. It can inspire kids to write, as screen time can lead to picking up a pen and writing and drawing their ideas, too.
- With screen time, you can help your children to respect boundaries. They’ll understand that there are set rules when it comes to screen time and that they can enjoy it in a limited amount. It also helps them to appreciate the time they do spend on screens. Children need limits, and it’s essential to set them young so that they understand what to expect from you and from themselves.
Screen time doesn’t have to be a contentious issue. As long as it is enjoyed safely, the whole family can spend time online and develop the skills and education they need for a successful future together. The time that screen time is too much is when you worry about their health. Other than that, enjoy it!
Did you like this post? Why not Pin it?
Featured article
No Comments