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SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN: 5 TO 10 YEARS
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN: 5 TO 10 YEARS
Congrats! Your child is out of the big-emotions early childhood phase and now is starting to be more of a rule-based thinker. They can probably talk more about their feelings, are learning to read and pay attention to schoolwork, and are building friendships. These are the important developmental tasks that media shouldn’t crowd out. Despite their growing maturity, kids are not ready for social media accounts at this age.
From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Socaial Media and Youth Mental Health
Family Media Plan
Family Media Plan
At this age, the Family Media Plan can be particularly beneficial as children are still young and receptive to setting up and adhering to rules. While devising a plan together as a family, it is essential to have ongoing conversations about media, keep limits so that kids can get their schoolwork and other activities done, and check what they are playing/watching. Although children in this age group are not yet ready for social media accounts, kid-friendly messaging apps might be a workable alternative for your family.
The 5 C's of Media Use for School Aged Children: 5 -10 Years
The 5 C's of Media Use for School Aged Children: 5 -10 Years
From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Socaial Media and Youth Mental Health
Child: Who is your child, how do they react to media, and what are their motivations for using it?
Child: Who is your child, how do they react to media, and what are their motivations for using it?
Children’s unique strengths and challenges start to become clear in elementary school. They may struggle with attention (like ADHD), social skills (like autism), reading or other academics (like learning disabilities), or managing their mood (like anxiety or depression). They are also likely to show interest or skills in activities. You may be learning that they are great artists, dancers, are good with animals or science facts. It’s important to carve out time to build upon these strengths and interests.
Crowding Out: What does media get in the way of?
Crowding Out: What does media get in the way of?
Video games and online videos can have designs that promote extended use – for hours at a time. Talk with your kids about balancing time on screens so that there is enough time to sleep, read, draw, do homework, hangout, play sports with other kids, and chat with family. Parents can role model putting phones down at bedtime, dinnertime, and on car rides. AVOID: Letting screens be your child’s go-to whenever they get bored, get frustrated with homework, or other challenging tasks
Content: What is worth their attention?
Content: What is worth their attention?
Many kids start to love video games and YouTube at this age but can easily access content that is age-inappropriate (e.g., violent, sexual, or rude). Read reviews on Common Sense Media to find out what shows, games, and movies are the right fit for their maturity level. Family settings or parental controls, although not 100% effective, can be used for filtering content on devices your child uses. Watch shows and play video games together to see if you like the messages and behaviors they convey—if not, find alternatives. AVOID: ‘Teen’ video games which have more gore and sexual content.
Communication: How can you talk about media to raise a smart and responsible child?
Communication: How can you talk about media to raise a smart and responsible child?
This is a great time for conversations about media, since kids have a burst of understanding of things like advertising, privacy, and concepts like right vs. wrong. By regularly having open-minded talks about media, you build critical thinking skills and can be the “voice in your child’s head” when they become more independent in the teen years. Let your child know that they can talk to you about anything negative or creepy they see online. If they’ve gotten a phone and have started texting friends, check in about how those interactions are going.
Calm: How do they calm down emotions or go to sleep?
Calm: How do they calm down emotions or go to sleep?
Many school-aged children like to use media for a mental break at the end of a school day. Be sure that this break doesn’t get in the way of homework and other activities, such as meals together. Put devices away at bedtime so that kids can settle their brains and bodies to sleep. Teach them techniques such as deep breathing and listening to quiet music to help calm their brains.
From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Socaial Media and Youth Mental Health
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health is dedicated to creating a healthy digital ecosystem for children and adolescents.
For more information and resources, follow this LINK
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