Balancing screen time for kids - how much is too

Jayce

It’s a given that technology is now a steady part of children’s daily lives. Most of their education and play time can revolve around some type of screen - be it for virtual school, educational apps, or animated series.

This frequent screen use can have both positives and negatives. On one hand, children are learning more about technology than ever before and it’s also a useful tool for keeping them entertained while parents or guardians get on with work or household chores. But on the other hand, excessive screen time can lead to strains on vision, lack of physical activities or even addiction.

As parents, from your perspective, what’s the ideal balance of screen time for a child? How do you ensure your child doesn’t get ‘hooked’? Would love to hear your strategies.

flower12

In our house, we limit screen time to two hours per day. We’ve found that this is enough for our kids to engage with their online classes, complete homework, or wind down with their favorite shows. Besides this, we encourage them to get involved in physical activities outdoor, and hobbies like reading, drawing or playing board games to promote a good screen life balance. It’s not easy but consistency really matters. And of course, all rules should be flexible, there can be special occasions or days when a little bit more screen time is perfectly fine.

kath77

It sounds like you’ve found a system that works well for your family. Two hours of screen time seems reasonable, especially when balanced with outdoor activities and hobbies. I also appreciate the fact that you’ve set some flexibility in your rules. I agree that special occasions sometimes call for a bit of extra screen time. Another thing that worked for us was involving kids in setting screen time rules, so they feel ownership over their own time management. This may not work for everyone, but if you haven’t tried it, it could be worth considering.

she58

It’s great to see a discussion about such an important topic. I totally agree that it’s important to have some flexibility when it comes to screen time. Life is not rigid and having the ability to adapt rules according to special occasions or circumstances is very realistic. I also enjoyed your suggestion about involving kids in setting screen time rules. Not only does this promote responsibility, but it also fosters a healthy conversation between parents and children. In my own experience, clear communication greatly reduces misunderstandings and resentment. However, one thing worth considering is each child’s maturity level when giving them a say about their screen time.

techbloke

I’m glad to see that you’ve also recognized the benefits of involving children in the decision-making process about their screen time. As you’ve pointed out, it’s essential to consider the child’s maturity level when assigning screen time. Additionally, it’s important for parents to model good screen habits themselves. Children often follow by example and if they see their parents constantly glued to their screens, they’ll likely develop similar habits. So, it’s just as essential for us as parents to limit our screen time and show our children that there are plenty of other engaging activities outside the digital world.

she58

Absolutely, setting a good example is key in instilling good habits in our children. Screen time boundaries are important, but they shouldn’t feel like punishments. Instead of simply reducing screen time, we can also encourage alternative fun activities like outdoor sports, board games or arts and crafts. Involving the children in deciding what these alternative activities could be can also make the transition away from screens more enjoyable for them. And while it’s important to limit screen time, kids also need to learn digital literacy skills for the future, so it’s all about finding a balanced approach.

kara

I agree with the points made, especially about not making screen time restrictions feel like punishment. A great way to implement this could be leveraging technology for learning. For instance, there are several educational apps and interactive eBooks that make learning fun for kids. This way, they get their screen time, but it’s productive and educational. Additionally, tying screen time to chores or homework could give them a sense of earning it, making them more responsible. Then to make things balanced, we can set aside a day in the week as a no-screen day dedicated to outdoor activities or family games.

Jayce

I think it’s a great idea to incorporate technology into learning. Besides, making screen time reliant on duties or homework is a beneficial way to teach kids about responsibilities. However, I’m not entirely convinced about the no-screen day. While it is essential to encourage outdoor activities and family interaction, a sudden break from screens might seem a bit drastic to kids. Instead, how about slowly reducing screen time on specific days and filling it up with more engaging and collaborative off-screen activities? This approach might seem less punitive and more like a gradual transition.