What is Screen time?

There are many different ideas about what constitutes screen time and different studies consider different definitions. However looking across the research there seem to be 6 main different types of screen time.

• Passive screen time: Watching TV, reading and listening to music

• Interactive screen time: Video games and browsing the internet

• Communication screen time: Video-chatting and using social media

• Content creation screen time: Making digital art or music

• Active screen time: Doing exercise videos, playing exercise games

• Education screen time: Lessons, homework and research

This idea is important as not all screen time is created equal. In their latest recommendations for children under 5 (W.H.O., 2019) the World Health Organisation makes several recommendations for different amounts of screen time but importantly, the screen time they are talking about is passive screen time, interactive screen time, communication screen time and content creation screen time or what they term 'Sedentary Screen Time'. They do not include active screen time or education screen time in their daily allowance recommendations.

In addition to this Common Sense Media (provide extra guidelines in the form of the four 'C's of things to consider when looking at screen time for our children

Connection. It's really important that kids connect on a personal level with what they're watching, playing, or reading. Are they engaged? Engrossed? Maybe even enlightened? Getting into a story line or identifying with characters primes kids for more learning.

Critical thinking. Look for media that takes a deep dive into a topic, subject, or skill. Maybe it's games in which kids wrestle with ethical dilemmas or strategize about bypassing obstacles. Rote quizzing and simple Q&A-style games may be fun and seem educational, but they may not help kids find deep or long-lasting meaning.

Creativity. An important feature of many great learning products is the ability for kids to create new content -- a new level for a video game or a song, for instance. Kids can feel more ownership of their learning when they get to put their own spins on the experience.

Context. Help your kids understand how their media fits into the larger world. For younger kids in particular, the discussions and activities surrounding games or movies are key. Being with kids while they play or watch, asking questions about what they're taking away, and doing related offline activities can extend learning.