Screen Time and Youth
An Emerging Topics Newsletter from ECSAAG
"Screenagers"
The “Screenagers” documentary was born out of the struggles of filmmaker Delaney Ruston, when she discovered her own two children were spending excessive amounts of time on their digital devices. Ruston, who is also a physician, discovered in her research that kids spend an average of 6.5 hours a day on screens, not including screen use in the classroom or for homework. She also discovered in her research that tech time impacts young people’s development and her documentary offers solutions to adults and teens/children to best navigate the digital world and find balance.
While the event is free, community members are encouraged to register for the screening by visiting www.screenagersmovie.com or calling (517) 337-1113.
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020, 03:00 PM
East Lansing Hannah Community Center, Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI, USA
Limiting Screen Time
How to Limit Your Child’s Screen Time
Excerpt written by Joshua Becker
These stats from Kaiser Family Foundation illustrate a trend when it comes to screen time for kids:
- Kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs.
- Kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games.
- Counting all media outlets, 8 to 18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day
And the effects of television, or any technology addiction, on children are not good. Children who watch too much television:
- Carry a much higher risk of childhood obesity.
- Are more likely to display aggressive behavior. Children naturally copy what they see. (For a simple, chilling experiment, allow your son to watch professional wrestling and see how long it takes before he tackles his sister).
- Are more likely to engage in “risky behaviors” when they get older.
- Have less energy.
- Have a harder time in school.
- Are more-exposed to commercials, advertisements, and propaganda.
Most people would agree that our culture watches too much. Yet, few people are able to curb their habit and reclaim their life. And even fewer know how to help their children navigate the media-drenched world we live in.
Here are 12 tips to help limit screen time for your kids. Each of these are tried-and-true methods used in our home and others.
1. Set the Example. Sorry to start with the toughest one, but there is nowhere else to start. Children will always gravitate toward the modeled behaviors of their parents. If they see you reading a book, they are more likely to read. And if they see you watching television, so will they.
2. Be the Parent. It is your job to encourage healthy behaviors and limit unhealthy ones – sometimes this means making unpopular decisions like limiting your children’s screen time. Make these tough decisions for your children. And always go the next step of explaining why you have made the decision – this will help them follow through and someday choose it for themselves.
3. Set Limited Viewing Times. If you are not going to turn off the television completely, choose the appropriate television viewing windows for your kids. It is much easier to limit their viewing habit if they understand that they can only watch one show in the morning and one show after school (as just an example).
4. Encourage Other Activities. And provide the necessary resources (books to read, board games, art supplies, and/or sporting equipment).
To read the rest of the tips, click here.
Family Bonding Activities
- Set up an ongoing jigsaw puzzle family members can help put together whenever they have a minute.
- Create a ritual for sharing one's highs and lows from the day (some families like to do this at dinner or in the car).
- Have your children or teens teach you a dance or the latest song they like and sing it together (provided you approve of the lyrics).
- When using screen time, make it count. Use it as jumping off point for conversations that matter.
- Have a family cook-off or share cooking responsibilities together (as age appropriate).
- Try working out together in small realistic ways that fit your family (e.g., outdoor raking, taking a walk, going to the gym, doing a simple sit up/push up challenge or night-time yoga together). Who is old enough to remember televisions powered by stationary bikes?
- Start a journal with your kids. Write them a note and have them write you back.
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group
Email: ecsaag@eatonresa.org
Website: www.eatondrugfree.org
Location: 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI, United States
Phone: 517-541-8711
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECSAAG/
Twitter: @ecsaag