Streaming services, YouTube, gaming systems, phones, tablets, laptops. Everywhere we turn there is an electronic device at arms reach.
I remember life before the electronic takeover. We had a computer when I was a kid, and it was a big bulky thing that sat on a desk in the family room. We could play tetris, design masterpieces in Paint, or we had a floppy disc game of Family Feud. Eventually, the introduction of the Internet when I was a teenager had me programming a Myspace page and burning CDs with LimeWire.
The computer stayed put though.
When I was done, I could get up, walk away, leave the internet in its designated place, and move on with my life.
Today, web accessibility is everywhere, all the time. My big kid and honestly, my husband alike, are obsessed with the screen. I regulate the screen time my kiddos gets, but my husband is a lost cause.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) makes the following recommendations for screen time in children:
- Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).
- Between 18- and 24-months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
- For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekends.
- For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.
- Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.
- Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums.
- Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
This seems reasonable, however, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a study by Common Sense Media 2021 that suggests otherwise.
Usage averages by age:
- 0-2 - 1 hour 3 minutes
- 2-4 - 2 hours 8 minutes
- 5-8 - 3 hours 38 minutes
- 9-13 - 8.5 hours
- 14-17 - 8 hours 39 minutes
You mean to tell me 9-17 year olds are on screens like it is a full time job!? These numbers should amaze me, but I get it. Every time I turn around, there is a screen somewhere.
The mom trying to get through Wal Mart as painlessly as possible, kid’s in the cart with a phone or tablet.
At a restaurant, kid’s get done eating, get bored, “Mom, can I have your phone?”
Some cars even come with screens built into the backseats now, because goodness forbid somebody is bored on the way to town.
Listen, I’m not judging because I’ve been there, done that.
But how far do we let it go? Studies show that neural pathways in a developing child's brain will die off and the brain is literally rewired when given too much tech time and not enough hands-on time.
What conversations are we missing with our children when dinner is served in front of the TV?
What critical life skills could we be teaching if we talked our kids through the grocery store and had them help with shopping?
What games could we be playing in the car that would help develop their observation skills?
Creativity is often birthed from boredom. “Being bored” is not the enemy, but rather the starting place for the brain to stretch and grow. Handing our kids tech at every moment of boredom is not doing them any favors.
With all this being said, we can’t deny that we are in a digital age now. Students are using Chromebooks instead of notebooks, texting and email have become the first choice of communication, and receiving a letter in the mail is an exciting surprise saved for special occasions. AI is on the fast track to taking over the jobs of designers and artists. So that begs the question. Is screentime a matter of quality vs quantity?
Daily help
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
His Truth, our journey…
This is a big topic to unpack, and every family is going to approach it differently. I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Thank you for your visit and hope to have you back soon!
Momma Writes
ShoutOuts
Wish this topic were being covered by more bloggers. It's definitely important and needed. I've seen more littles than I can remember having an absolute fit or meltdown over being deprived of screen time.
ReplyDeleteScreens are becoming more and more normalized it’s rare for kids not to have phones or tablets. I am for quality screen time for a family show, game, educational lesson but other than that I am for limited screen time for all ages! Imagination play needs to come back to our generations.
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