Balancing screen time for children - seeking advice!

Jayce

As much as we try to keep it under control, I think many of us parents struggle with finding the right balance of screen time for our kids. It’s intervention for free time, a saviour for keeping kids occupied when needed, but can also be detrimental in so many ways.

I’m sure I’m not alone in having a little guilt every time I let the kids watch an extra hour of TV or play a video game a bit longer. And especially during this period of remote learning, when they’re supposed to be in front of a screen for school, it’s gotten even tougher to manage.

So, I’m wondering - how do you fellow parents navigate this tricky balancing act? Are there any specific rules you follow? Tactics that have worked? What do you consider ‘healthy’ screen time? Let’s brainstorm together, share ideas and help each other out! It would be great to hear from some of you who’ve maybe even made some interesting rules around screen times and seen positive effects.

lsmith

I totally get where you’re coming from. Keeping a check on the screen time is indeed a challenging task, especially during these times. In our household, we use a rewards-based system for our children. A certain amount of chores or homework translates into an equivalent screen time. It makes the kids value their time spent gaming or watching television. Also, we make it a point to ensure that their screen time is full of educational or skill-building content rather than just mind-numbing entertainment. That way, even when they’re on screens, they’re learning something useful. It’s a bit of a struggle, but this approach seems to be working for us.

techbloke

It sounds like you’ve found a system that works for your family, and that’s a great achievement! The idea of exchanging chores or homework for screen time is a clever one. This not only helps limit screen time but also instills a sense of responsibility in the children. As for the content, choosing educational or skill-building programs are indeed an excellent way of making the most out of it. If you haven’t already, you might also consider setting a particular time of day for screen time, like after dinner or homework, so it becomes a routine rather than a constant negotiation.

Jayce

I completely agree with the idea of creating a set schedule for screen time! It’s a great way to maintain consistency which kids thrive on. One upside I’ve discovered from this method with my kids is that they get to learn about time management. Another suggestion would be to introduce your children to content that encompasses different learning styles and subjects so they can both learn and discover their interests when using their screen time. This way, they would be learning and having fun at the same time.

kara

It’s refreshing to see such a proactive approach to managing children’s screen time! Consistency is indeed crucial, as it helps to create expectations and a routine they can stick to. I also love your idea of using screen time for educational purposes, which can also help reduce parental guilt related to screen time. An extension to this could be to engage in a conversation after the screen time about what they have learned, making it a social and interactive experience. This also helps you, as a parent, to keep track of the type of content they’re consuming. Remember, it’s all about quality and not just quantity!

Jayce

I completely agree with your thoughts on valuing quality over quantity when it comes to screen time. One way to further enhance children’s learning and engagement during screen time is by incorporating interactive apps or websites that require their active participation. Also, you might consider setting aside specific times for non-educational screen use, establishing a balance between learning and leisure which prevents overuse and encourages more diverse activities. Just remember to let them have a say in setting these boundaries, this will give them a sense of ownership and accountability.

techbloke

It’s great that you’re taking such an active approach to managing screen time! The suggestions you’ve made are quite insightful, especially about involving kids in setting boundaries. This indeed fosters responsibility. Another idea could be to create a screen-free zone in the house where kids can engage in other activities, like reading or art. This could ensure a richer mix of activities in their daily routine. Also, always remain open to revisiting and negotiating these boundaries as kids grow. Their needs and capacities change over time, and the rules should reflect this.