While we would all like to spend less time on a screen, the reality is that expecting children to never lay their eyes on a device is unrealistic. From the moment they are born, today’s children are accustomed to parents always having their phones within reach and using them for socialization, work, communication, photos and videos, entertainment, etc. The same parents who become engrossed in memes also want to limit the time their children spend on screens. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that children under the age of 18 months have no screen time at all, and very limited screentime after.
Despite this recommendation, the reality is that many parents struggle. Parents are busy, often relying on a show for a much-needed break and to diffuse tantrums. They struggle to find a happy medium, one that doesn’t eliminate screentime, and one that does not turn their children into screen-addicted zombies.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. There are ways for children to enjoy and form a healthy relationship with screens.
- Explain what your phone/screen is for. From an early age, children see parents’ phones as something exciting. While some of what is on there may be exciting, it is important to explain to children that it’s not all fun and games. Previous generations of children grew up watching parents make shopping lists, calling friends and coworkers to schedule plans and meetings, and turning on the TV (another screen!) to find out the latest news. Today’s children do not necessarily know what parents are doing on their phones. All they know is that it is not for them. Saying to a child, “Yes, I’m on my phone right now—I am making a shopping list for later. What would you like to add to it?” or “I am sending an email to my coworker to let them know I am going to be late to work” or “I’m very invested in a current news story and am waiting for an update” puts a human spin on what you are doing on your phone and involves them in the process and in your life.
- Watch shows together. It’s okay to put on a show for a child to get a break. It makes sense to use that time to fold some laundry, make dinner, or answer an important call. However, take some time to sit down and watch a show with your child. Snuggle with them. Ask questions about the plot and characters. This encourages a child to learn about emotions and to share their feelings about a show with their parent or caregivers. Even very young children get excited at the prospect of enjoying and sharing a favorite character.
- Limit relying on screens in stressful situations. While it may be tempting to pull out a tablet at a restaurant, eventually it will lose its appeal, and you will be left with a child who has not learned how to entertain themselves or act appropriately in a public setting. Bring small toys, coloring books, and encourage conversations. For very young children who have trouble sitting and waiting for longer periods of time, choose restaurants where you can walk around.
- Remember that bigger screens are generally healthier. This does not mean that everyone needs televisions that take up an entire wall of a room; however, watching a show on a television is generally healthier than on a tablet or especially a phone. When a child is watching a show or video on a phone, their eyes become engrossed in just that, rather than when they are watching it on television and are still able to notice other things in their surroundings.
- If you must entertain a child with your phone, try to pull up videos of them or other family members, share pictures, or take pictures.
Remember, no one is perfect. Using a tablet on a long flight may be preferable to subjecting airplane passengers to a child who is upset and whose ears are popping. However, it doesn’t have to be pulled out at every inconvenience. Search our blogs for more ideas on how bond with children, entertain children, and overcome parenting challenges.
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.