Managing Children’s Screen Time and Finding a Healthy Balance

Today’s children are more connected to technology than previous generations. Whether chatting with friends online, doing homework online or watching videos, being connected to screens is routine part of their day. Technology can create many opportunities to learn and connect with others, it can also become difficult to unplug and develop healthy habits. It’s important to be aware of your child’s media consumption and help them form a healthy and balanced relationship with screens.

The good news is that you don’t have figure this out alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides a free Family Media Plan tool for families to create a plan that works for them. The AAP shares that it doesn’t need to be a strict plan and it can be managed and reduced over time as you feel it is appropriate.

Simple AAP tips that you can implement for your children include:

• Create screen-free times and places in your home (such as meals and bedtime).
• Set do-not-disturb times on devices and media time limits.
• Track online activities and talk about which ones may be problematic.
• Discuss safety rules for online chatting.
• Plan regular screen-free activities your family enjoys.
• Make a habit of turning off media that isn't in use. Try music if you need ambient noise.

If your children are old enough to be on social media, discuss what they like on the platforms and if they’ve encountered anything concerning. It’s important to open a line of communication so that if a child is confused about what they see, they feel comfortable speaking with you about it.

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that greater screen use was associated with a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, aggression, hyperactivity, and other socioemotional challenges. At the same time, children already experiencing these issues were more likely to turn to screens as a coping mechanism.

“We are not asking parents to ban screens or electronics from their children, but to be mindful of the time they spend on them and the content they are watching,” said Dr. Daniel Blocker, LFMT, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. “Rather than focusing on the limiting of screen time, place importance on activities that improve family bonding and make special memories over your child’s summer break.”

Digital devices are an important part of today’s modern world and learning to set boundaries is an important part of child development. Opening lines of communication with your children about the content their watching builds trust and creates a safer online environment for them.