By Kayla DeKraker
We know the negative effects of screen time on children, but is it enough to just limit the time children spend on devices?
“Over the last decade, the science of media has evolved, and simply taking devices away or enforcing rigid rules can backfire for parents,” Dr. Tiffany Munzer, a pediatric behavioral specialist at the University of Michigan Hospital, told ABC News. “We now understand there are specific design features of digital media — some that promote positive benefits, and others that are highly engagement-based that can overtake healthier activity.”
She continued, “Families have always carried the burden of managing screen time, but so much of this is out of their hands. There are powerful systemic factors shaping children’s digital experiences — and that’s exactly why the responsibility has to be shared.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently debuted a new set of screen time guidelines.
According to CTV News, the policy outlines a “cascading series of risks as children age”:
Early childhood (0–5 years): High screen use during these ages is linked to delayed language skills, poor social development, disrupted sleep and a rise in “angry outbursts.”
Related: Another Study Proves Just How Damaging Screen Time Is On Mental Health
School-aged children (6–12 years): Longer screen time is leading to faster loss of attention, academic struggles and a higher risk of weight gain.
Teenagers (13–18 years): For high school students, the concern is mental health, with increased rates of depression and anxiety.
“…this policy—what’s new is it takes a real, system-wide approach and recognizes that kids’ digital lives are really shaped not just by families, but by schools, by industry design choices and by public policy as well,” explained child development expert Sheri Madigan, with the University of Calgary.
Dr. Hansa Bhargava, a pediatrician and AAP spokesperson on social media use, said that the digital world is an “immersive ecosystem designed to keep kids engaged as long as possible.”
But, there is a major difference between mindlessly scrolling on social media apps versus watching a movie together as a family. In fact, Bhargava believes that enjoying a good movie can benefit children.
“Watching a movie together and then talking about what you’re seeing, I don’t really think of as screen time — It’s together time,” she said.
So how do we navigate good versus bad screen time in a world saturated with technology? Bhargava suggests putting good habits in place first to help mitigate the bad.
“When kids have safe places to play, learn, and connect offline, screens stop filling that gap,” she explained. “We need to make sure kids are getting the fundamentals — sleep, nutrition, exercise, and communication with their parents. If those pieces are in place, screens don’t have the same power.”
If you’re looking for some good family together time, Movieguide®’s new app offers personalized suggestions that will make your next family movie night a hit.
“Plug in your family’s preferences and let Teddy Bear, our friendly mascot and guide, deliver trusted Christian reviews, ratings, and custom recommendations,” the Movieguide® App description reads. “With over 60 content criteria carefully evaluated for every title, you can know before you watch and avoid unwanted surprises.”
Let’s make our screen time family time.
Read Next: Americans Use These Tools to Limit Their Screen Time
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +2Share:
– Content: +1