Creating Screen-Time Guidelines for Children

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You may be wondering how to set limits around screen time for your child, and the holidays can be particularly tricky with family expectations around TV, movies, and video games during gatherings. Like many parenting decisions, screen time is a nuanced issue with no answer that is going to be right for every family. Let’s dig into the research on child development to help you make decisions for your family.

First, let’s talk about some potential negative effects of too much screen time for children:

1. Poorer sleep
2. Not enough physical activity
3. Less time for reading and academics
4. Poorer self-image
5. Spending less time with family and friends
6. Some evidence for increased depressive symptoms

Parents may be particularly concerned about the potential negative effects of screen time on mental health. Overall, there is some evidence that the total time spent on screens is associated with poorer mental health for children. For example, there is a small association between greater total screen time and greater depressive symptoms, though there is less evidence for associations between total screen time and anxiety or self-esteem (Tang et al., 2021).

There is growing evidence that what children and teens do on screens matters more than the total time spent on screens. Newer forms of tech like smartphones and the Internet are more associated with depression than TV or video games, possibly because they are more interactive and personalized (Tang et al., 2021). However, the association with depression is still small for these technologies. When thinking about what teens may be doing with screens, it may be more important to ask the following questions: Are they watching violent or inappropriate videos or seeing unrealistic beauty ideals? Are they experiencing cyberbullying or being targeted by advertisers or scammers? These types of questions are likely more important for your child’s health and safety than the total time spent on screens.

There are also potential benefits of screen time that need to be considered, such as:

1. Fun and relaxing activity for kids (depending on the content).
2. Opportunity to connect with friends and family members that live far away.
3. Activity to occupy kids while parents relax or work.
4. Can be an opportunity for kids to learn about Internet safety and privacy (with caregiver support).
5. Opportunity to learn how to use different types of technology, which may be helpful when transitioning to adulthood.

One question you may want to consider when making your own family screen time guidelines is “What activities are my kids not doing when they’re on screens?” One of the main problems with spending too much time on screens is that the time spent on screens is time that children could be spending doing other activities that are better for their development, like playing independently or with others, or reading. If your child is bored or you are looking for something to occupy them, encourage them to play, read, or try another activity for a while first rather than turning directly to screens.

It's important to set up reasonable screen-time guidelines that help you as a caregiver but also have your child’s healthy development in mind. Here are some ideas to consider when setting screen time guidelines for your family:

1. Set and enforce reasonable limits: Create limits that are consistent over time and enforce those limits. For example, you may decide that your child can watch videos for 30 minutes per day. Set the timer for 30 minutes, and when the time is up, gently but firmly help them finish their screen time session. Allowing children to push boundaries with screen time (e.g., “just 5 more minutes!”) will make it more difficult to enforce boundaries in the future. It’s OK to have different rules around the holidays. You should explain to your child the reason for the change in the rules (e.g., “you get an extra hour today to play video games with your cousin”) and then get back to normal rules when the holidays are over.
2. Monitor content: Make sure you know what your children are doing on screens to keep them safe. Use parent controls for restricting your child’s media content so they are only engaging with content you find safe and appropriate.
3. Turn off screens during mealtimes and group activities and before bed: Use these times to connect with your child. Before bed, focus on relaxing activities to help your child sleep. Have children avoid screens at least an hour before bed and keep screens out of the bedroom at night.
4. Avoid using screens to comfort: When your child is upset, work on teaching them other ways to help them feel better instead of reaching for screens. The skills they learn will help them cope with uncomfortable feelings in a healthier way as they get older.
5. Talk to your child about media: Engage with your child about what they are seeing. Point out and ask about good things they see (e.g., acts of kindness in a video). Ask them questions about what they’re watching and learning. Keep an open conversation about safe digital practices and advertising for older children and teens. If your child is old enough, get them involved in creating a family media plan!

Don’t feel pressured to do what your family or friends are doing this holiday season. You know what is right for your own family, so feel confident in setting your own family's screen time plan.