Principles for managing screen time

Even before the coronavirus forced so much of our lives to go online, limiting our kids' screen time could be tricky – and since the pandemic, screen use in many families has, understandably, climbed further. The truth is, finding the right balance with digital technology is complicated, because it offers both many powerful benefits, as well as some potentially big pitfalls, for kids' wellbeing.

Since screens will undeniably be a part of our children's future, we need to work with them to be intentional about screen usage. This includes filling screen time with more “nutritious” content and less “junk food,” and making a big effort to meet their other needs outside of screen time, so they don't turn to screens to numb unmet needs. Read on for a game plan.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Digital technology is one of the biggest revolutions in human history, the full scope and consequences of which are still unfolding. For elementary aged kids, screens can bring awesome benefits, like connecting with family far away; access to inspiring stories, entertainment and educational content; and exposure to new ideas and information.

However, the miraculous capabilities of digital devices have also been accompanied by some negative effects for kids, including:

Children with more screen time screen time in the pre-school years show delayed development of brain structures for language, imagery and executive function. (Hutton et al 2019)
Parents engage and connect with their kids less when distracted by smartphones. (Dunn 2018)
Increased risks for childhood obesity, exposure to violence or disturbing content, and interrupted sleep. (Linn 2012)
Less time spent on important developmental tasks of free play and physical activity.

And looking ahead a few years to where screen habits can lead:

Large increases in the rates of depression and psychological distress among adolescents, since the advent of the iPhone (Twenge 2019)
Heavy social media use is especially associated with depression and anxiety (Shensa et al 2018)

While a lot of articles in the past few years have painted a very dire picture of the consequences of any and all screens use for children and adolescents, more recent studies have concluded that "it depends." (Orben, Przybylski 2019) Screen use can be positive and negative, and the effects depend on what content is being is consumed and how it fits in to a child's life and family overall.

As parents, we have the opportunity to help our kids navigate the world of digital tech, which includes setting healthy limits, and being intentional about what happens before, during, and after your child engages with screens.