I remember arrogantly saying, “My kids will not be raised by the television and iPad.”
The Reality of Screen Time: Before and After Kids
Those ignorant words were uttered before I had children; I was such a great parent then. We’ve all heard the warnings about the effects of too much screen time, yet trying to find balance in this tech-driven world can be daunting.
Many parents, including myself, face questions like: How much screen time is too much? Is all screen time created equal? After all, some screen time is educational.
Managing the kids’ screen time has proven to be harder than I initially thought, especially over the summer. Trying to keep them occupied, feeding them every 13.6 seconds (“Mom, can I have a snack?”), while also getting my own work done, and dealing with the fact that it feels like 179 degrees outside every day (can’t send them out there), makes it seem impossible without screen time. Thank goodness they start school in 6 days, 23 hours, 35 minutes, and 43 seconds… 42… 41..
Screen Time Realities: Roblox, YouTube, and Finding Balance
In our house, Roblox and YouTube garner the most screen time. My son has become obsessed with Roblox (insert eye roll). Already an early riser, I hear him and his cousins bright and early, “bruh’ing” each other to death. They have to be on FaceTime while playing the game together, you know. A new rule was quickly implemented: no FaceTime or gaming until 10 a.m.
But it is not all bad. Shows like The Magic School Bus (which I used to watch), PBS Kids, Wild Kratts, and Tab Time provide both entertainment and education. Momma doesn’t mind watching these either.
During the school year, the kids and I stay so busy that they rarely have much time for TV and iPad each day. However, this summer has proven to be much different. I’ll be honest; this summer they have gotten more than the recommended two hours of screen time… much more.
With the start of school right around the corner, the kids have been put on notice, and we have begun tapering down their screen time. We are all shifting back into our normal routine to be best prepared for a successful start.
I remind myself of the amount of Nintendo and Sega I played by myself, with my brother, family, and friends when I was younger, and give them (and myself) grace.
Managing Screen Time Effects
It’s crucial to monitor physical impacts such as sleep issues and eye strain, as well as behavioral effects like attention span and anxiety. For instance, I’ve noticed that too much consecutive time on the iPad can trigger my son’s migraines. To manage this, we use timers to regulate iPad use throughout the day.
Ensuring Safety and Setting Standards
All games and apps must be requested and approved by their dad electronically before being downloaded. Monitoring their interactions while gaming is also essential, as we must be cautious about what and who our kids are exposed to online. Gone are the days when gaming meant sitting right next to each other.
I stay vigilant about debunking misinformation and keep communication open with my kids because I can’t catch everything. I remind them that shows and games are for entertainment only and not real. Additionally, despite creating their YouTube Kids account, the platform’s influential advertising for fast food like McDonald’s and Taco Bell is challenging. I respond with, “No! We are eating McHome.”
Though I allow McDonald’s occasionally, I strive to set a healthy example by discussing the importance of good nutrition and making healthy choices. Moreover, some content supposedly suited for my 5- and 7-year-olds is inappropriate—such as Barbie dolls being pregnant and skipping school, using mature language, and showing excessive violence. I report and block such content immediately.
Setting Screen Time Guidelines: Our Family Rules
- No iPad at the dinner table
- No iPad in the bedrooms
- No iPad, gaming, or TV before completing schoolwork and chores
- iPad and gaming are only allowed in the designated play area
- No iPad use at least 1 hour before bed
- No YouTube after 8 p.m.
- During the school year, iPad and TV time is limited to 1 hour each per day for non-educational content, if time permits
Evolving Screen Time: Balancing, Educating, and Leading by Example
I understand that as my children grow, finding this balance and managing their screen time will become more challenging. We will continue to keep them physically active and engaged with positive extracurricular activities, while staying attentive about their screen time.
My children are very inquisitive, and with my promise never to lie to them, I strive to explain anything that may come up. We equip them with tools to navigate interactions with unfamiliar people in their games and emphasize the importance of never sharing personal information. We encourage creative and critical thinking and provide space for them to develop these skills.
Most importantly, I lead by example. I remain conscious of my own screen time habits and aim to model healthy behavior for my children.
I encourage you to find what works best for your family as we all strive to raise, nurture, and protect our children.
Please, join in the discussion in the comments and share on social media.
Other Post You May Like:
