Is Screen Time Affecting Your Child?

Screen Time and the Young Child

Computers and electronic devices are a huge part of our daily lives.  They are a huge part of our kid’s lives as well.  But when should these items become a part of our lives and how often should they be allowed? Babies have a curiosity for the light and sounds of iPads and phones. One-year olds are getting tablets for their birthdays.  The 2013 Zero to Eight study commissioned by Common Sense Media showed that 38 percent of infants younger than age two use mobile devices like smartphones. What does this exposure mean for our little ones?

Recent studies have shown that screen time can have an impact on typical language development in small children.  It showed that the more television children under two watch, the less words they are able to understand and communicate. This includes televisions on as background noise.  Other studies have shown that when technology is used as “play”, the amount of expressive language used by the parent decreases as opposed to when they play using simple toys or books. With that being said, should you completely limit all screen time and media time?  Is that realistic in today’s world?

Up until recently, the American Association of Pediatrics recommended avoidance of screen time for children under 2 and 1-2 hours a day for older children. But they are currently changing their guidelines.  They have stated, “In a world where ‘screen time’ is becoming simply ‘time,’ our policies must evolve or become obsolete.” So what are their recommendations?

Current recommendations include:

·        Setting limits at every age. AAP has said that limited screen time continues to be best for children under 18 months.  FaceTime with Grandma? It is completely fine. For children 18 to 24 months, limit screen time to high-quality programing/aps. Children older than 2 should limit screen time to one hour or less a day.

·        Avoiding displacement.  Strive to maintain time for play, conversation, and creativity.

·        Address digital etiquette.

·        Engage in media use together. Adult interaction continues to be crucial for young children. Discuss what is seen on the screen with your children to model more language and joint attention.

·        Create media-free zones. Take time away from your devices.

·        Model media behaviors. It is amazing what children pick up from just simple observations.

Technology isn’t going away.  We just have to find a balance to help young children learn how to handle technology in their lives as well as encourage social and communicative development.