Never before has it been much easier to be informed, entertained and connected.
Our favourite shows, music, social media, and the latest news are now easily accessible 24/7. While we enjoy this convenience as parents, kids are also enjoying it—too much, in fact.
With children having smartphones early and at younger ages, while also having unrestricted access to TVs, tablets, video games and other technology in the home, they are getting a lot more daily screen time than generations before them.
Just how much screen time are kids exposed to daily?
These numbers might shock you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the average daily screen time of kids by their age group:
- 8-10 years old: Six hours
- 11-14 years old: Nine hours
- 15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours
And these numbers don’t even include the time kids spend on screens for school work.
What are the side effects of excessive screen time in children?
Over the last decade, the effects of too much screen time on children have become a standard topic that paediatricians discuss with parents and their children.
While it can be tempting to allow your child screen time whenever they want it, there can be some side effects, and these may include:
- difficulty sleeping
- low self-esteem
- not spending more time outside and socializing with others less
- having low grades in school
- struggling to maintain a healthy weight
- attention or mood disorders
For children aged five years and below, there is strong evidence that suggests screen time has negative effects on:
- social and psychological wellbeing
- weight
- motor and cognitive development
While for children and young people aged 5–17 years, screen time may have negative effects on:
- their weight and diet, especially from TV viewing
- behavioural problems, hyperactivity, attention, anxiety, self-esteem and psychosocial health
It also affects their development of social skills.
Studies do not always agree about the effects of excessive screen time on children, partly because of differences in their methods. However, research suggests that excessive screen time in children, especially young children, is more likely to cause unhealthy outcomes in the short and longer term. It is also important to consider the type of screen time and how it is used, in addition to the amount of time spent on it.
Therefore, parents need to be aware of the impact that excessive screen time has on their children’s health, as well as their ability to develop healthy relationships with friends and family and pay utmost attention to address this issue.
What are the screen-time recommendations for children?
For infants (aged 2 years and below)
Adhere strictly to limiting all use of digital media, and this may include “background” activities like having the TV on or using your phone when your child is in the same room with you. This can disrupt the type of focused play needed for their developing brains.
Video calling with family and friends is deemed appropriate too.
For toddlers (aged 2 to 5 years)
Up to one hour per day of high-quality programming designed for their age group is advised.
To enrich their screen-time experience, try watching the shows with them, answering their questions and encouraging conversations about the program’s content.
For elementary school-age kids (aged 5 to 12 years)
It is recommended to establish clear boundaries around screen time that prioritize adequate sleep time (approx. 9-12 hours) and physical activity (at least one hour and more).
For teenagers (aged 13 years and above)
For teenagers, the negative effects that excessive screen time has on their mental and emotional health are well-documented.
As a parent, you are advised to work with your teen to establish clear boundaries and have a family plan that defines how long they should be using screens, where they can use screens and which types of content they can consume. Ensure to prioritize adequate sleep time (about 8-10 hours) and healthy physical activity (that is more than one hour).
More emphasis has been placed on monitoring your teen's social media exposure and keeping an eye on their online activities to protect them from potential risks.
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Helpful tips for setting screen time limits and boundaries
As a parent or guardian, you may not be sure where to begin with screen limits and boundaries.
It is always a great idea to have an open dialogue with your children about how social media and the online world make them feel.
Here are a few general guidelines and tips that may be helpful:
- When necessary, you can use parental controls to limit the content younger children can watch.
- Work with your older children and teenagers to set their boundaries for healthy screen time.
- Ensure to switch off all screens about 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.
- Restrict the use of electronic devices at the dinner table or during family activities.
- Chores, homework, and other activities should be completed first.
- Help them to understand why less screen time can be healthy for their mental and physical growth.
- Be honest with them about how hard this can be and always praise their ability to follow through.
- Ensure that the other caregivers know about and agree with these set boundaries.
It’s also important to understand how much socializing is done online nowadays. As children get older, they will need to know how to navigate the social norms that their generation is creating, many of which depend on social media and the virtual world.
If reducing screen time is stressful for your child, try to understand what they may feel they are missing out on and see if there are other ways you can fill that absence.
Also, don’t forget to model good screen time behaviour yourself as oftentimes children copy their parents!
A Comment from Dr. Favvy
While there may be some recommended guidelines, there is no single perfect answer when it comes to how much screen time exposure your children should have. The amount and type of screen time exposure children are allowed to have varies from family to family, day to day and child to child.
If you’re going to limit screen time, you will need to make sure that you are on the same page as the other adults in your child’s life. You will also have to know what your child is watching and doing during their screen time.
Once these boundaries have been set, do your utmost best to stick to them and encourage screen time as a means to continue your child’s education.
Always, keep in mind that just a simple example of you picking up a book or heading outside for a walk can go a long way in encouraging good habits in your children.
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Disclaimer
The information on this blog is just for educational purposes only.
It should not be used as a replacement for the medical care and advise of your child’s pediatrician.
Always consult your pharmacist before giving your child any drug.
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