TIME TO SCREEN THE KIDS WORDS: Vaishalee P. Wilson, Ed.S, NCSP, Lead School Psychologist Manatee County Surprisingly, a new question was asked of my teenage son when he went for his sports physical the other day. Along with the standard questions about exercise, diet, sleep habits, and wearing a bike helmet, the doctor asked; “How much screen time for you each day?” He looked at me and I looked at him - how does this get answered? Does this include texting, instant messaging, posting pictures on Instagram, or going online to do homework? How do you add up all of those moments? Do the number of screen time hours really matter? If this is something that has concerned you, you are not alone. According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) annual Stress in America Survey (APA, 2017), 58% of parents “worry about the in��uence of social media on their child’s physical and mental health,” while 48% said that “regulating their child’s screen time was a constant battle.” Fortunately, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has 2016 research-based guidelines regarding screen time to assist you with media boundaries. They are as follows for children 0 to 5: 0 to 18 months – No screen time other than video chats. Screen input interferes with optimal brain development. 18 to 24 months – “High quality,” educational video programming with accompanying caregiver interaction important for social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. 2 to 5 years – Screen time is now acceptable but limited to 1 hour per day of “high quality” content and parent involvement. 6 years and up – Place consistent limits on time and type of usage and regulate usage so sleep is not negatively affected. Designate screen free times (e.g., during meals) and locations (e.g., bedroom). Students age 12 and up average seven hours of screen time daily (AAP, 2016). Is this too much? This is a real struggle for many parents worldwide, as implied by the title of a recent study: “Virtually impossible: Limiting Australian children and adolescents’ screen based media use” (Houghton et al 2015). Is restricting the amount of screen time hours what we are supposed to do? You may be happy to learn that recently there is less support for the assumption that increased screen time equates to harmful outcomes (e.g., obesity, social isolation). More recently researchers are paying more attention to the content and context of screen time, not just amount. When they do this, researchers such as Przybylski and Weinstein (2017) have found support for “the digital Goldilocks hypothesis” regarding screen time—everything in moderation, not too much, not too little, but just right. Additionally, researchers are ��nding positive social bene��ts of moderate screen time usage that would not be afforded with little to no screen time. For example, 38% of adolescent boys who game online reported sharing their online gaming names as the ��rst step toward social connection with a potential friend. Also, 68% of surveyed secondary students shared that they have received valuable social support during times of distress via screen time with friends. So, instead of trying to reduce screen time hours, focus more on the how, what, why and where of usage. Begin age appropriate conversations regarding responsible screen time. What would that look like? It is at this point you can rely on the AAP’s online program to guide you through the creation of a family media use plan. With family investment in this process, there will be more accountability for all to stick with the plan and revise as needs change. This can be an ongoing family project, with everyone taking part. Regarding the doctor’s question to my son about screen time hours, next time I will suggest he share our family media use plan with her. Create yours by visiting: www.HealthyChildren.org/MediaUsePlan Doctor’s orders!
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