Not All Screen Time is Created Equal
This article divides screen time into 3 categories: consumption, creation, and collaboration. Consumption is the more passive role one can take and includes consuming media by watching, reading, and listening. Examples include TV, radio, movies, books, and magazines. Creation is where students move from being consumers to being producers of content. This is where they write stories, create digital art, make music, do computer programming, film and edit movies, and so on. Lastly, collaboration is all about connecting with others. An example of this is videochatting with family and friends. As the trusted adults in our children's lives, we should strive for balance and encouraging healthy choices over counting minutes.
Why Parents Shouldn’t Worry About How Much Screen Time Kids Have Right Now
This article, from the DevTech group at Tufts University, focuses on the importance of balance and intentionality when it comes to screen time. It encourages the use of technology as a tool for connection and creativity and gives readers a list of ways that screen time can be used for children to be creative.
(please see below for more screen time resources)
Talking about Screen Time and Media Choices with Your Children
Open communication will be your best asset as a family. Plan time for a family conversation around media use and screen time and making good choices. Here are a few prompts to get started:
How has the past few months of distance learning felt? Have you noticed any physical or emotional changes with the increased amount of screen time? Are you having trouble falling asleep at night? Or have you had a increase in headaches?
Children crave clear expectations, boundaries, and consequences. They want to feel safe and cared for. Ask them what they need from you. How can you best support their ability to make good choices when it comes to screen time and media consumption.
There are some things on the internet that you just can't unsee. How can you prevent yourself from seeing things that are scary or not age-appropriate? What would you do if you came across content that made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe? Help your child generate strategies for managing their feelings and actions.
Commonsense Media has created some great resources for families. Check out their family media contract, which will assist your family in starting a conversation and establishing ground rules.
Commonsense Media has also put together a Paren'ts Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls, which could aid you in mointoring and filtering content.
Good Technology Choices for Children
We have started to curate a list of resources for you and your families. These apps, tools, and websites are good options for students to be creative with technology.
More Screen Time Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics
Where We Stand: Screen Time
Summary of AAP’s Guidelines for Screentime for Kids from verywellfamily.com
American Psychological Association
Media Use in Children: Evidence-Based Recommendations for for Caregivers
Mayo Clinic
Screen time and Children: How to Guide Your Child
World Health Organization
American Heart Association
The Truth about Screen Time from the Dana Foundation- addresses neuroscience behind screen time
The Atlantic’s The Underlying Messages That Screen-Time Recommendations Send Parents: Providing the sort of straightforward guidance parents desire is hard for anyone, even experts.