– What do you think?
– Well, I don’t know. What do you think?
Neither of us had anywhere near a qualified answer.
Because we were on our way out into unknown land. We were on the verge of hitting “buy” and exchanging some of the baby money for two brand new iPads for our oldest and middle. Who at the time were two and three years old. Yes…
The reason was that the wolf hour, i.e. the time right up until dinner is ready on the table, had started to feel so wolf-like. Especially the days when I was alone with them and had to juggle both cooking and an often quite restless baby.
So we wanted to give them an alternative to the cartoon that usually became the solution to meltdowns and conflicts. After all, wouldn’t there be more learning to be gained in some of the educational games we had heard about?
And could we, as parents, perhaps also get a few minutes of peace to breathe?
But as we sat there and were about to buy a rather large, rather advanced and rather expensive new pacifier for our children, some other questions suddenly arose.
How much and how little should those iPads be in use? Should we try to set some framework in advance? Or should we take the chance and bet that our children could speak up themselves when they wanted or needed a break?
Fortunately, we rejected the last option quickly. Because our children would hardly be able to control anything themselves, and we wouldn’t just park and paralyze them with their screens every afternoon, because it might be convenient for us.
But how often? And for how long at a time?
I remember the questions were lined up. And we had no idea how to go about it. In fact, we were even becoming a little unfriended by the fact that the other didn’t have the answers we ourselves were looking for.
And I think that almost every other parent has faced the same challenge: that we have had to try to feel our way to what we thought would be appropriate. Because there were no guidelines or recommendations we could lean on.
Screens, both tablets and smartphones, have been a regular part of life for the population of the Western world for over 14 years now. But in the past we have never really considered what the screens could do, what they were supposed to do and how much it was beneficial to use them.
We as a society have just given up. Call it a private matter, even though the phones have stolen more and more attention, also during school and working hours, because no manual came with it.
Maybe it was meant to be. Perhaps we have had to learn the hard way. Perhaps it took watching our screen consumption completely skyrocket to realize what it is that screens are doing to us. What they steal from us.
But I can also see that the outlines of another image are taking shape. Of a world where we understand more and more that boundaries are needed. That social media is not exclusively for the good. That there are better and more important things to spend our time on.
At our home, we landed on a time limit of 30 minutes of use per day, and we decided that the new iPads could only be found twice a week.
And our children pretty much accepted that. Or.. They came to that. Let’s put it this way.
Were we early on with these kinds of screens? Guaranteed. Was it unnecessary? Perhaps. These are some questions I still debate with myself – and which are guaranteed to keep circulating in my head for many years to come.
For one thing are iPads. Something completely different are the smartphones they will no doubt demand one day. And how do we relate to them?
It is a huge and complex area with more questions than answers. And then it may well be that right now we feel that we have total control over the screen, because those iPads almost never come off the shelf we have parked them on – probably also because there is almost never power on them when the kids think of them.
But we know that peace is on borrowed time. Because there are big questions coming up. Great forces and social structures are at play, which can make it difficult to make a free and sound choice.
Before we look around, we are probably sitting there on the sofa again and asking:
– What do you think?
Because we don’t have a good answer ready ourselves.
Briefly about Camilla Stougård Christoffersen
- Journalist in Northern Jutland since 2021 with a focus on writing about lifestyle and everything that may include and concern families with young children
- Mother of three girls aged 5, 4 and 2.5 years respectively
- Lives on an old farm in southern Himmerland, where the laundry basket is never empty
2024-09-07 14:05:48
#middle #buying #iPads #children #stopped #looked #thought
Screen time recommendations by age chart
Table of Contents
The Complex World of Screen Time for Children: Setting Boundaries and Finding Balance
As parents, we’ve all been there - torn between the convenience of screens as a means of keeping our children occupied and the uncertainty of how much screen time is too much. The debate surrounding screen time for kids has been ongoing, with concerns about its impact on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the recommended guidelines for screen time, the importance of setting boundaries, and ways to find a healthy balance in an increasingly digital world.
Recommended Screen Time Guidelines for Children
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), children should have TV-free days or limit their screen time to two hours a day [[3]]. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children aged 2-5 years old should limit their screen time to one hour per day of high-quality educational programming, with co-viewing and interactive elements [[1][2]].
Why Setting Boundaries is Crucial
As parents, it’s essential to set boundaries and guidelines for our children’s screen time. Without them, we risk exposing our kids to excessive screen time, which can lead to:
Obesity and physical inactivity
Sleep disturbances
Social isolation and decreased face-to-face interaction
Decreased attention span and academic performance
* Increased risk of cyberbullying and online safety concerns
Finding a Healthy Balance
So, how can we find a balance between allowing our children to benefit from educational screen time and protecting them from its negative effects? Here are some tips:
- Set clear guidelines and rules: Establish screen-free zones and times, such as during meals or before bedtime.
- Monitor and co-view: Watch screens with your child to ensure they’re not accessing inappropriate content and to engage in conversations about what they’re watching.
- Choose high-quality content: Select educational programs that align with your child’s interests and learning goals.
- Encourage physical activity: Engage your child in outdoor play, sports, or creative activities to promote physical and mental well-being.
- Model healthy behavior: Demonstrate responsible screen use yourself,
Too much screen time at school
The Dilemma of Screen Time for Kids: Finding the Right Balance
As parents, we’ve all been there – torn between the convenience of screens as a pacifier for our little ones and the worry about the potential negative effects on their health and development. The decision to introduce screens into our children’s lives is a complex one, and setting boundaries around their use can be a daunting task.
The Importance of Limiting Screen Time
Children who spend more time in front of screens have been shown to eat more fast food and less fruits and vegetables, get less sleep, and engage in less physical activity[[[2]]. Excessive screen time can also lead to a decrease in attention span, increased risk of obesity, and a negative impact on mental health[[[2]]. It’s clear that setting limits on screen time is crucial for our children’s overall well-being.
Guidelines for Screen Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over two years old should limit their screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming [[1][3]]. For children between two and five years old, it’s recommended to limit screen time to one hour a day of high-quality programming, and as your child grows, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work as well [[3]].
Setting Boundaries and Finding a Balance
So, how do we set boundaries around screen time and find a balance that works for our families? Here are some tips:
Set a time limit: Decide on a daily time limit for screen time and stick to it.
Choose high-quality content: Select educational games and programming that promote learning and development.
Establish screen-free zones: Designate areas and times of the day as screen-free, such as the dinner table or bedtime.
Lead by example: Model healthy screen use behavior yourself, as children are more likely to follow your lead.
* Monitor and adjust: Regularly monitor your child’s screen time and adjust the boundaries as needed.
Conclusion
Finding the right balance of screen time for our kids is a challenge, but it’s an important one. By setting boundaries, choosing high-quality content, and leading by example, we can help our children develop healthy relationships with screens and promote their overall well-being. Remember, it’s okay to take it one step at a time and adjust as needed – the key is to be intentional and proactive in guiding our children’s screen use.
