The dreaded screen time conversation….
Today, let’s dive in and talk about screen time. How much is too much and how much time are we all really spending on our devices? This has recently become even more of a hot button issue with the release of Netflix’s new movie, “The Social Dilemma.“ This movie exposes how social media and network marketing has taken over our minds! I know that sounds crazy in itself, however, the network marketing industry has developed Artificial intelligence and algorithms that help better target us as consumers. I’m sure we have all seen the ads when scrolling through Instagram and Facebook that are all way to familiar to what we are thinking and talking about. I know, creepy right? If you want to know more about it, hop over to your Netflix account and check out the movie!
So how does all of this screen time affect our children? Excess screen time has been linked to obesity, learning disabilities, social and communication delays, and depression and anxiety in our teens. How much screen time are children really getting? The Washington Post put out an article in 2019 stating that children ages 8-12 consume an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes screen time daily. Teens consume a whopping 7 hr and 22 min of screen time daily!! Yikes! And neither of these numbers account for the time used at school or for homework. Pretty scary. Add to this the fact that our children are also the target of marketing giants turning them into very young consumers. What about us adults? I’m sure you are wondering what our number is. Well the average adult consumes 3 hours and 30 min daily. (Though I wonder how this number looks now with covid?)
The American Academy of Pediatrics has reviewed quite a bit of research and offers some great guidelines to help us parents better navigate this territory. Check out this guidelines and head over here to create family media plan!
ONE HOUR SCREEN TIME DAILY! This applies to all children over the age of 2
Choose high quality programming and educational apps to promote enhanced learning.
NO SCREENS DURING MEALS!
Shut off devices one hour prior to bedtime to help with better sleep.
Avoid digital use in infants under 18 months of age.
“Turn it off” how many of us leave the TV on in the background? When its not screen time shut all devices down! This will encourage free play and interaction.
Parents, we are not excused from these guidelines either. Let’s all try to spend less time staring at our phones and more time playing with our little ones! This time will fly by and the devices will always be there waiting for us. Set up screen time looks on your phone if you are having a hard time cutting the cord. Leave your phone by the door or in your bedroom so that you forget about it. Read more, play more, talk more and most importantly GET OUTSIDE!!
As always, thank you so much for stopping by! Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!
Until next time,