Recent studies have shown youngsters who spend too much time in front of a television, computer screen, tablet or smartphone are more likely to struggle with anger and emotional issues.
The key for parents is finding a healthy balance that works for everyone, especially since online learning and classroom projects often require students to sit in front of a screen, says Dr. Lucretia Carter, medical director of Tidelands Health Pediatrics.
“We do have to make sure our children are getting quality content from screen time and make sure we’re aware of any hazards that may come from non-education-related content,” she says.
More studies are needed to establish proof that excessive screen time can impact cognitive development, but a flurry of smaller studies shows the brain can be negatively affected in children who’ve been exposed to excessive screen time or more violent or aggressive-type screening, Dr. Carter says.
Negative cognitive results may include weaker attention spans and the inability to control emotions.
“There is an opportunity to reverse or reduce that negative impact, but we really need to focus on teaching our children about appropriate screening during the early years rather than in the later years,” she says.
How can parents strike that perfect balance to reap the benefits of screen time for their children? Dr. Carter suggests:
- Restrict screen time or limit video chatting with relatives for children under the age of 2.
- Choose educational programming for children 18 months to 2 years old.
- For preschool-aged children, limit screen time to one hour or less a day. For children older than 5, limit screen time to two hours a day or less.
- For older children, create a game plan that’s acceptable to everyone involved, establish rules and outline consequences if rules aren’t followed.
- Before allowing non-educational screen time, make sure homework or projects are completed.
- Establish rules about what information is shared online. Talk with your child about not sharing personal information or chatting with strangers online.
- Routinely check the history to monitor the websites and applications children are visiting.
- Restrict screen time at least one hour before bedtime. Studies have shown that excessive screen time or screen time close to bedtime can impact the amount of sleep and the ability to fall asleep.
- Encourage your children to come to you if they experience any online behavior that makes them uncomfortable.
“Make sure they’re comfortable with letting you know when something online is making them uncomfortable so you can further investigate,” Dr. Carter says. “Whether you have young children or a teen, screen time is inevitably something parents are going to need to monitor.”