Moms Talk: Do You Limit Your Child’s Screen Time?

Like allowances, eating habits and a million other choices we make every day, when and how to introduce kids to technology is a hot topic with a wide spectrum of opinions. 

, I'm a big fan of using technology for educational purposes (I love my iPad!). But, most people would agree, as a culture we watch too much television. The truth is, we have more access to television, movies and video games than ever before.

At my house, we  have 2 televisions, a Wii console, an iPad, an iPod touch, and both my kids have their own iPod shuffles. We certainly have our fair share of electronics. But when I started writing this article, I wanted to observe how much time my children are actually engaged with these devices on a daily basis. 

Once I started keeping tabs, I was surprised.

This is what I observed on an average day: my twins watched a few educational shows on the television for about an hour (we only have PBS or DVD's); my son played the Wii (we only have games with a rating of E for everyone); and they might also ask to play a computer game on my laptop. They were also playing with their iPad but we have decided that we will not limit the time they can use it since it is so educational. The day would flow in and out of screen time, with other activities (gardening, cooking, craft projects, and game playing) that I would say was a nice balance for us.

However, I found that between the two of them, they were hitting the 2 hour limit pretty quickly without my even noticing!

According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation:

• 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, 8-18 year olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day.

And the effects of television 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 experiment, allow your son to watch Star Wars and see how long it takes before he is looking around the house for something to be a light saber which then immediately gets used on 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. (I can tell you that my children’s birthday lists are usually based on a commercial they just saw.)

After talking to fellow Sonoma Valley Mother Club moms Lindsey Ladd and Sharon Johnston, I found they had a very different approach than my own. One allowed TV a half-hour per week for her 3 ½ year old as a Saturday treat and the other had a list of chores that her 5 year old daughter would have to complete to be awarded a half-hour of television every week. This works for their family because they found that their kids had a tendency to completely zone out when the television was on, and not want to turn it off. Certainly a different approach to one I am taking at my house.

To help inspire parents, here are a few suggestions I found to help limit our child’s screen time:

• First off, I try to set a good example myself. My kids are always following me around, whether I am in the garden or cleaning the house. If I am being active, they will want to do the same. 

• Use a reward system to earn screen time. I am going to start a chore list with my kids and a token system that allows my kids to earn screen time. Getting ready for school, cleaning their room, sorting the laundry are all chores they need to start learning to do anyway, so I think using screen time as a reward will help them to take responsibility for their choices.

• Another option is to chose a set time for children to be allowed to watch television, For example, if they complete their chores they would be allowed one morning show before school and another one after school. A fellow parent, Kelly Boydell, mom of a kindergartner and fourth grader, allows her kids to watch a show only after all chores are done like putting away their clothes and finishing their homework. Or you can try a television-free day once a week!

• Use mealtimes and car rides for conversation. About two-thirds (64%) of young people say the TV is usually on during meals. That’s too bad because your family’s best conversations can happen over a meal. One of our little family traditions is to ask what your rose was for the day and what was your thorn. This always gets a good conversation going!

• Lastly, I try to encourage other activities we can do together. I have never had my children refuse a game of hide-and-seek over watching television!

All in all, even if we make different decisions for our families, we need to make sure we’re actively, intentionally making decisions about the role of technology in our kids’ lives and not just letting it happen without much thought.

What is your family’s view on introducing kids to technology? How do you balance it as a tool and an important part of life while still setting limits and not letting it get out of control?