How much time should a child spend on electronics

Children and too much screen time

Speaking of Health

Friday, May 28, 2021

Topics in this Post

• Family Medicine
• Child Development
• Children's Health (Pediatrics)

How much time does your child spend watching TV or movies, playing with a smartphone or computer, or enjoying video games? Although some screen time can be educational, it's easy to go overboard, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than 2 and recommends limiting older children's screen time to no more than one or two hours a day.

Too much screen time can be linked to:

• Obesity
  The more TV and video your child watches, the greater his or her risk is of becoming overweight. Having a TV or other electronics in a child's bedroom increases this risk as well. Children can also develop an appetite for junk food promoted in ads, as well as overeat while watching on electronics. Learn more about screen time and body weight.
• Irregular sleep
  The more time spent watching on a screen, the more likely children are to have trouble falling asleep or have an irregular sleep schedule. Sleep loss can lead to fatigue and increased snacking.
• Behavioral problems
  Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day watching TV, playing video games or using a computer or smartphone are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems. Also, exposure to video games is linked with an increased possibility of attention problems in children. Read "Are video games and screens another addiction?"
• Impaired academic performance
  Elementary students who have TVs or other screens in their bedrooms tend to perform worse on tests than do those who don't have these in their bedrooms.
• Violence
  Too much exposure to violence through media can desensitize children to violence. As a result, children might learn to accept violent behavior as a normal way to solve problems.
• Less time for play
  Excessive screen time leaves less time for active, creative play.

Your child's total screen time might be greater than you realized. Start monitoring it, and talk to your child about the importance of sitting less and moving more. Also, explain screen time rules — and the consequences of breaking them.

Consider these five ways slimming screen time is good for your family's health.

In the meantime, here are simple steps to reduce screen time:

• Eliminate background TV.
  If the TV is turned on — even if it's just in the background — it's likely to draw your child's attention. If you're not actively watching a show, turn it off.
• Keep TVs, smartphones and computers out of the bedroom.
  Children who have electronics in their bedrooms watch more than children who don't have these in their bedrooms. Monitor your child's screen time and the websites he or she is visiting by keeping TVs and computers in a common area in your house.
• Don't eat in front of a screen.
  Allowing your child to eat or snack in front of electronic devices increases his or her screen time. The habit also encourages mindless munching, which can lead to weight gain.

Get 6 additional tips to reduce children's screen time.

When your child has screen time, make it as engaging as possible:

• Plan what your child views.
  Instead of flipping through channels, seek quality videos or programming. Consider using parental control settings on your TV and computers. Preview video games and smartphone applications before allowing your child to play with them.
• Watch with your child.
  Whenever possible, watch programs together and talk about what you see, such as family values, violence or drug abuse. If you see a junk food ad, explain that just because it's on TV doesn't mean it's good for you.
• Record programs and watch them later.
  This will allow you to fast-forward through commercials selling toys, junk food and other products. When watching live programs, use the mute button during commercials.
• Encourage active screen time.
  Have your child stretch or do yoga while watching a show. Challenge your family to see who can do the most jumping jacks during a commercial break. Choose video games that encourage physical activity.

It can be difficult to start limiting your child's screen time. However, it's worth the effort. By creating new household rules and steadily making small changes in your child's routine, you can curb screen time and its potential effects.

Register for Slim Your Screen Time — a free at-home, self-guided program designed to help you improve your health by reducing screen time. Join at any time.

Jill Christensen is a nurse practitioner in Family Medicine in Waterville, Minnesota.

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Topics in this Post

• Family Medicine
• Child Development
• Children's Health (Pediatrics)

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Kids’ screen time: How much is too much?

It’s never been easier to be entertained, informed and connected.

Our favorite shows, music, social media and the latest news are now available in the palm of our hand 24/7. While we enjoy this convenience, kids are enjoying it as well. Too much, in fact.

With children getting smartphones at younger and younger ages while also having access to TVs, tablets, video games and other technology in the home, they’re getting a lot more daily screen time than previous generations.

Just how much time?

The numbers might shock you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the average daily hours by age group:

• 8-10 years old: Six hours
• 11-14 years old: Nine hours
• 15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours

And these figures don’t even include the time kids spend on screens for their school work.

The health effects

It’s important for parents to be aware of the impact that too much screen time can have on their children’s health, as well as their ability to develop healthy relationships with friends and family.

“While TVs have been a fixture in American homes for many years, the issue of screen time is a relatively new area of concern since smartphones haven’t been around very long,” said Samina Yousuf, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician.

Over the last decade, it’s become a standard topic that pediatricians discuss with children and their parents.

“Studies are showing links between excessive screen time and various physical and mental health issues in children, such as obesity, depression, behavioral issues and anxiety,” Dr. Yousuf said. “It also hinders them from getting the recommended amount of sleep each night, which harms them physically and also impacts their performance in the classroom. And then when they come home from school, it cuts into the time they should be devoting to homework.”

It also impacts their development of social skills.

“Impatience in real world interactions is one of the biggest results of excessive screen time,” Dr. Yousuf said. “You don’t have to be patient with a screen. It’s instant gratification. But you do need patience when you’re talking to someone in person. So, it’s important that children learn to wait, listen and respond.

“This will not only help them when communicating with other kids, but also when playing together since taking turns with toys is so important. All of this lays the foundation for developing healthy relationships and friendships as they grow up.”

Recommended time limits

But with these electronic devices so ingrained into our culture, how should parents set boundaries for their children? Dr. Yousuf said pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines:

• Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends
• 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling
• 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework

Talk to your child.
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To support parents’ efforts, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents develop a family media use plan, which can be easily constructed on the AAP’s website at healthychildren.org.

“This is really a positive parenting tool that can help parents guide their children on what type of screen time is appropriate and when and where it can be enjoyed,” Dr. Yousuf said.

Other proactive steps for parents to take include:

• Screen-free bedrooms: There should be no screens in the bedroom, and children generally shouldn’t view a screen for two hours before bedtime. The reason is a screen’s blue light can prevent the brain from knowing when it’s time to get ready for sleep. Instead of watching TV before bed, kids should engage in other activities, such as reading.
• Fill the void: If you need to cut back on your child’s screen time, don’t leave them to figure out what to do with that free time. Replace it with something positive, such as outdoor sports or other activities.

Focus on face-to-face interactions

But aside from setting screen time limits, Dr. Yousuf said parents need to focus on face-to-face interactions with their children.

“Younger children don’t relate to what they see on a screen the same as real life. Subliminal messages that we send during in-person conversations don’t come across the same on a screen,” she said. “When you’re playing with a young child, you’re teaching them how to interact with their environment. Studies show that the more interactive you can be with them, the better off they’ll be because they’re using more of their senses, such as listening, touching and smelling.”

But whether a child is younger or older, human interaction provides benefits that can’t be replaced by screens.

“It’s all about developing relationships,” Dr. Yousuf said. “You need to be able to maintain healthy relationships later in life. If you’re not experiencing that and seeing what relationships should be from a young age, you’re not going to replicate them later on.”

Last Updated: April 22, 2022

View all posts by Luke Legner

Tags: child development, obesity, OSF Children's Hospital, pediatrics

Categories: General, Kids & Family

Computers and gadgets: the pros and cons of using children

In the age of information technology, it is very difficult to protect children from the use of various equipment, electronics and gadgets: computers, phones, tablets, etc. Yes, and is it necessary? Perhaps there are many benefits to using these devices for children? Today we will talk about what are the positive and negative aspects of using computers and gadgets, and what needs to be done so that they do not harm the child.

Children and computers

Computers and various gadgets (phones, tablets, etc.) have long become indispensable things in our lives. And they can be seen in the hands of even small children.

Gadgets and PCs can be used not only for communication and entertainment, but also for learning. Today, there are many educational programs, electronic diaries have been introduced in schools, distance learning systems are used, etc. To get the most out of your child's use of a computer and other electronics and at the same time reduce the negative impact, it is worth reading the tips for the correct use of technology.

Pros of using gadgets and PCs

PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones are good because they provide access to information on the Internet and allow you to use various programs. The following positive aspects of using these devices can be singled out:

1. Development of fine motor skills. Work on devices with a joystick, buttons and touchscreen (touch screen) allow you to develop fingers and train fine motor skills. And tracking the movement of a computer mouse on the screen allows you to train your baby's attention.
2. Education for younger students. Occurs with the help of special educational programs and games that use visual images and active forms of work of the child himself. Games are very good in which the child is presented with a problem situation and is required to find its solution by analyzing the initial data, engaging in search and research activity. For example, these can be games with building letters from lines, correlating concepts with images, etc.

An example of a children's educational program. Photo source

3. Access directly from home to a lot of useful information. On the Internet, schoolchildren can read the latest news, find the texts of books, find interesting information about a great discovery, a traveler, a historical event, etc. The advantage of the Internet over a library is the instant receipt of new information.
4. Formation of the skill of searching and filtering information among schoolchildren. This skill is most actively formed in adolescence. The abundance of various information sites puts the student in front of the need to analyze all the information received and select reliable ones from them. In addition to the skills of searching and filtering information, this also develops the ability to think critically.
5. Communication with classmates and teachers. Special blogs and groups in social networks created for students of a certain class are very good. Here the teacher and students can exchange information and news, discuss controversial issues, discuss read works, work together on projects, etc.

Using gadgets has many advantages, but some rules must be followed in order not to harm your health.

Rules for the use of computers and gadgets by children

To avoid unnecessary problems from too frequent or incorrect use of PCs and gadgets, you must remember that:

Try to give the gadget as little as possible to a preschool child. It is necessary to explain that this device is designed to work, and instead of watching cartoons, it is better to run educational programs and videos. For older children who use computers on their own, it is necessary to emphasize that information on the Internet is not always reliable. Therefore, you need to choose it very carefully. To limit the time of using the device, you can set "parental control".

How to sit properly at the computer. Photo source

Cons of using gadgets and PCs

Frequent and irregular use of gadgets can lead to a number of negative consequences:

1. Health problems. Frequent sitting at a computer or tablet can lead to redness and dryness of the eyes, blurred vision, impaired posture, muscle problems (from their prolonged immobility), oxygen starvation of the brain (as a result of squeezing blood vessels and lack of fresh air), sleep disorders.
2. Psychological problems. Children who use gadgets a lot from an early age and spend little time with their peers may have problems with social adaptation. They find it difficult to communicate with people, find a common language with them, they are timid and shy, know little about life outside the computer and often get lost in real life situations.
3. Addiction. This is the most serious consequence of the use of PCs and gadgets. It is formed under the influence of many aspects (frequent use of the device, lack of other interests in life, personal problems, etc.) and has a number of symptoms.

Symptoms of addiction

Specialists distinguish the following symptoms of computer, gadget or Internet addiction:

Having problems at school (behavior problems, absenteeism, poor grades, etc. )

Of course, the true dependence on gadgets is rarely formed among schoolchildren. But if at least one of the above symptoms appears, then this is already an alarming bell for parents. In this case, it is urgent to distract the child from the harmful effects of a PC or gadget.

Photo source

How to prevent addiction

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1. Reduce device usage time. However, remember that you do not need to strictly forbid the child to sit at the computer or take away the tablet from him. This will cause a negative reaction and can only aggravate the situation. Come up with some kind of tricky move, for example, give instructions, ask the child to participate in business, emphasizing that it is difficult to cope with them without him. In more serious cases, you can give the device "for repair" in order to instill in the baby a love of other activities during this time.
2. Find other interests for the child. Try to captivate him with something not related to electronic devices. It can be walking, cycling, reading books, bead weaving and much more. See what your child is most interested in and cultivate it.
3. Try to spend more time with your child. Joint walks, games, conversations, discussions of interesting issues (books, movies, music, history, etc.) will help the child not only avoid gadget addiction, but also improve your relationship and allow the baby to feel his importance.

Computers and gadgets are very useful devices for learning. However, they can become evil if used incorrectly or too often, if all interests are focused on them. To avoid this, parents need to pay more attention to children and, if necessary, control the use of devices.

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How much time children spend in front of a screen

• Jane Wakefield
• Technology Correspondent

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According to market research company Childwise, children aged 5 to 16 spend an average of six and a half hours a day in front of a screen, up from about three hours in 1995.

Teenage boys spend the longest time using electronics - an average of 8 hours.

Eight-year-old girls are the least of all, for whom this figure is three and a half hours, the researchers report.

Scientists took into account the total time spent on television, game consoles, using a mobile phone, computer or tablet.

Time is changing

The Connected Kids report shows the big picture of children's electronic usage habits by analyzing data from 1995 to the present.

Each year, for this report (which the authors do not post online), about 2,000 children aged 5 to 16 are surveyed.

It turned out that teenage girls today spend an average of seven and a half hours in front of the screen, compared with three and a half - mainly on TV programs - at 1995 year.

Younger children are somewhat less glued to screens: Twenty years ago, children between the ages of 5 and 10 spent about two and a half hours watching TV every day. Their peers in 2014 increased screen time to four and a half hours.

Today's children often use several devices at the same time - for example, they visit Internet sites on their phone or tablet while watching TV. Therefore, the time of using these devices is partially overlapped. 9Ol000 podcast

"Since the 1990s, there has been one key change: TV shows and magazines were the main sources of information for children then, while now it is various devices such as tablets, mobile phones and set-top boxes, which take much more time accordingly", says study leader Matthew Neward.

Even children's "TV" habits have changed a lot: most of them now watch shows on TV channels' websites or YouTube rather than on traditional TV, the study says.

YouTube is the most popular service for watching TV content on demand. Since 2013, more than half of the respondents have watched TV programs and videos on this resource.

Pay-as-you-go services such as Netflix have also grown in popularity in recent years. It is expected that it will continue to grow in the future.

This is not good news for broadcast channels - BBC One's children's audience (ages 7 to 16) has dropped from over 80% in 1995 to just over 40% in 2014. Similar trends are observed with the ITV audience.

The transition to digital television, as well as the development of specialized children's channels, has led to the fact that children watch less of the main channels. Now they prefer specialized channels such as CBBC, CITV, Nickelodeon and Disney.

The need to be online

The study also looks at how the Internet has affected children's perception of information.

"The Internet is an indispensable part of their lives and a treasure trove of data," says Neward.

The Internet has given children more opportunities to develop their interests and has reduced their dependence on content offered by television or magazines.

"Now they can find what they like," Neward explains.

According to the study, being able to use the Internet at any time "is a basic need for today's youth."

"Today's kids don't remember life before the Internet," adds the researcher.

Image copyright, AP

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Internet access affects how children communicate with their families and "how willingly they participate in family holidays or travel," the study says.

Importance of image

The Childwise project also tracks which websites are most popular among young people.

YouTube hasn't left the top three since 2007. Whereas the popularity of Facebook has declined in recent years, and children have switched to new services, such as Snapchat.

According to the study, they like privacy on WhatsApp or Snapchat. The use of such services also affects the nature of their communication.

"There is a kind of cult of image here, where users try to showcase their mood or activities with photographs," the report says.

Among the few sites that have held their popularity for 10 years is also Google.

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