July is the perfect time to encourage children to go outside and take breaks from screens. However, some parents continue to struggle with controlling screen use during the summer and with the return to school this fall.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, research shows that children’s use of screens skyrocketed as parents lost childcare help and were forced to work at home. Screen time helped alleviate high stress levels in the home and also provided much needed social connections. Parents continue to face the challenge of balancing healthy screen time use with the concern about their children becoming “addicted.” Here are some tips to help combat the screen time struggle and alleviate parental guilt:
Self-reflection
Examining your own screen time use may help you think about its use in your family. Parents who spend more time on screens tend to have children who do the same. If you use screens to mentally and emotionally escape difficult parenting moments, this strategy may lead to added stress, distraction, guilt and the inability to stay present in the moment. However, not all screen time is harmful, especially for parents who use screens for social support and useful parenting tips.
Self-compassion
Give yourself a break as this past year has been taxing. Take time to pause and accept that it’s okay to have felt (and still feel) overwhelmed. Try to stay in the present moment and treat yourself with compassion rather than criticism. Being kind to ourselves builds resilience and allows us to be more supportive for our children.
Balance
A negative approach to screen time will only make the issue worse. Instead of focusing only on time spent on screens, consider content (what children are watching), context (where, when, how and with whom their screen use occurs) and connections (how screen use is enhancing or hurting their relationships). This can help guide parents to create a balanced relationship with screen use.
Collaborate
Instead of enforcing strict rules, look to your children for their input and develop shared goals. Rather than setting a limit on screen time, discuss with your children things you can share or do together (such as reading or playing outdoors) as a replacements for screens. Involving them in the in the process helps in developing a framework to enhance the entire family’s well-being.
While the summer presents an opportunity to unplug and reset, a balanced approach that recognizes the unique needs of each family is critical. Being patient and kind and emphasizing family teamwork help to make screen time a less contentious issue.
Common Sense Media is a great resource to keep up to date on all of the latest research and recommendations on screen time: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/screen-time
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.