What is screen time safety?
Children have a lot of access to different types of technology, through phones, tablets and television. Screen time safety is a way for parents to be knowledgeable about what types of media their children are exposed to and checking into it to be make sure that media is appropriate for their age and maturity level.
With all the technology from cell phones to tablets to video games, why it is important for parents and caregivers to be knowledgeable about Screen Time Safety for their children?
Technology is a double-edged sword. It can increase access to education material, it can be entertaining, it can tell you news about the world. But it can also increase access to inappropriate content, such as sexual themes, violent themes, inappropriate language and things that may not gel with a family’s social value system.
What are the medical risks of excessive screen time that we should be aware of?
Sitting in front of a screen for too long can increase your risk of obesity from being sedentary. It can increase risks of headaches and poor sleep from too much artificial light exposure. It can decrease your ability to focus and self-direct, and can also cause social isolation.
"My child texts constantly!" Any suggestions on how to limit or control this?
Yes, parents should set certain firm rules about when texting is appropriate. For example, no texting at the dinner table might be a good rule to start with, since family meal time is very important. Another rule might be if you can talk to the person face-to-face or if you’re in the same house as the person, there’s no reason to be texting. They can also make the child responsible for part of the bill if they go over the set limit.
What guidelines can I follow to protect my child? (both inside the home and at afterschool care or at the babysitter)
Parents should establish an approved list of websites that are okay for the child to visit. They should keep the technology in a public area so that they’re less likely to view inappropriate content if someone could walk by. In general, setting up some nice, clear rules with aftercare or the babysitter such as all technology off after 5 pm, or limit the technology to one or two hours.
I have heard some parents set up agreements with their child to limit their use of technology. What is involved in setting up those agreements and what should be included?
It should include appropriate use of the technology – when, where and how. There may be some things in it like, “all homework should be done first” or “no technology before 7 pm or after 9 pm except to communicate with parents”. It’s very important to discuss appropriate use of a phone or a camera and how to use it respectfully…not taking pictures without permission, or making sure that before pictures go out that they are okay for anyone to see. It’s also absolutely important to discuss the dangerous risks of texting and driving. All of these things should be in the written agreement between the parent and child, along with the consequences of not following the rules. The parents need to be involved as well – they may want to put in the agreement that they will be checking the technology from time to time to see what the child has been using it for and what sites they have been visiting. That helps the child know what to expect and what’s expected from them.