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Health and Mind: Screen Time and Media Effects on Children
Published on Saturday August 27, 2022 at 3:00 PM
by Amy Williams
Mrs. RD. L.D. LDE
We’ve all heard how screen time and computer games are harmful to children, but we often ask, “How harmful can it be or how much is too much?” Most kids today are hooked on television or video games long before they start school. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation:
• Two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch an average of 2 hours of screen time per day.
• Children under the age of 6 watch an average of 2 hours of screen media per day, mainly TV and videos or DVDs.
• Children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 spend about 4 hours a day in front of a screen and about 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of school work) and playing video games.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for children under 2 years of age and no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming for children over 2 years of age. The first 2 years of life are considered a critical period for brain development. Screen time with other electronic media can be explored, played, and interacted with parents and others, promoting learning and healthy physical and social development. As children get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as physical activity, reading, homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family. Too much screen time can be harmful, as people spend more than four hours a day continuously looking at screens and are more likely to be overweight. Children who witness violent acts behave aggressively but fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them. And TV characters often display risky behaviors like smoking and drinking and reinforce gender roles and racial stereotypes.
There are some options for parents to limit media time with children, including:
• Keep screens outside bedrooms.
• Turn off screens during meals.
• Do not allow children to watch any media while doing homework
Treat TV and screen time as an entitlement – ​​a right. Establish and enforce family rules such as screen time for electronic viewing only after chores and homework are completed.
Try a weekday block. Schoolwork, sports activities, and work responsibilities make it difficult to find extra family time during the week. Record weekday shows or save TV time for the weekend and you’ll have plenty of family time during the week for meals, games, exercise and reading.
Be a good example by limiting your own television and electronic viewing.
Preview TV listings and program reviews for shows your family can watch together. Choose shows that promote interest and learning through hobbies and education (reading, science, etc.).
Preview programs before your kids do.
Come up with a family TV program that you all agree on each week.
Watch TV together. If you can’t sit through the entire program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess tone and relevance, then sit through the program.
Talk to children about what they see on electronics and share your own beliefs and values. If something you don’t agree with appears on the screen, you can turn it off and use the opportunity to ask thought-provoking questions.
The Clark County Health Department offers programs for the whole family, including smoke-free, WIC, HANDS, family planning and well-child care/immunization. For more information about all of our services, please call 859/744-4482 or visit our website at www.clarkhealthdept.org. You can also “like” us on Facebook.
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