Kids and Screen Time

I find it almost impossible to find any parent who doesn’t allow ANY screen time for their children. While that seemed more likely just 3-5 years ago, it has become more normalized for children to rely on Alexa, streaming services and finding information on Youtube clips. I don’t want to say it’s been ALL bad. My son, for example, enjoys watching fascinating math videos online that seem safe and 100% educational.

However, there are some general rules about the number of hours per day a child should be watching screens. These are some basic guidelines about how to introduce some screen time that seems appropriate, in my opinion:

• Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).

• Between 18- and 24-months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.

• For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.

• For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.

In our home, we have the following rules:

• No screen time Monday - Friday (limited access on weekends)

• No watching Youtube alone, unless WITH an adult present (watching the screen)

• No watching ads (they literally must put the iPad down or walk away until it is over)

• Absolutely no chat features in any games

• We have never allowed Roblox (I’m glad about this decision, after hearing about all the controversies with Roblox!)

While we adhere to these rules now, I am aware that things can change in the near future. For the most part, my kids understand why we have these rules. It is not only about addiction to screens, but it is also about the potential harm of inviting the internet into their very young minds. I always try to explain the reasons why we have these rules and make sure we can agree on them together as a family!