At our Winter Institute, January 25-26, 2020, at the Lovett School, Stacia McFadden, Director of Academic Technology, will provide a workshop on tech use in school and at home.   To learn more about our Winter Institute, please go to www.gurianinstitute.com.  This blog sent out by Stacia to parents and community members provides a short list of guidance on this very important subject.  In her workshop, Stacia will provide more depth.  From Stacia:

In 2013, at my son’s Well-Child visit, I remembered his pediatrician asking HIM about his screen time (the amount of time using a device with a screen such as a smartphone, laptop, or video console). I sat there frantically anticipating what my 10-year-old might say. Was I worried that he probably had no clue how much time he actually spent on screens, yet I knew it was too much? Was I worried that he would tell the complete truth, and the doctor would judge my parenting? Whatever the source of my worry, the conversation forced me to evaluate my personal beliefs around screen time.

I was torn. As a technology educator, I’ve witnessed how technology enhances education, meeting students where they are and allowing them opportunities to engage with the subjects they were learning. I’ve also seen the projections about the number of STEM careers that need filling in the future. So I, during my day job, encourage teachers to use more technology in their classrooms and inspire children to learn how to code and get prepared for these “jobs of the future.”

Yet, as a parent (my other full-time job), I was concerned that my son was spending too much time watching senseless videos and playing video games. And as a friend to other parents, I witnessed their children struggle with managing friendships online, developing body image issues, and seeing or being a victim of cyberbullying.

As any adult has learned from experience, too much of anything can have negative consequences (think chocolate). So as parents, it is our responsibility to guide our children along the way until their frontal cortexes allow them to make better decisions. All screen time is not equal. Ultimately, you have the opportunity to decide how much screentime is acceptable for your child and whether the use of their screen time is positive or negative. I suggest you engage your child in these conversations and develop some family expectations.

In the meantime, as we enter Winter Break, here are some screen time guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If you have children 5 years old or younger, I advise looking at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new guidelines for toddlers and preschoolers.

Elementary School Age (6-10) – Up to 1 to 1.5 hours per day

• Place consistent limits on time spent using media, and the types of media being consumed.
• Since they are now entering school, make sure screens don’t become a habit before homework gets completed.
• While developing tech skills is important, try to aim for a balance of creative and laid-back time.
• As they grow, parents can gradually give kids more control and choice in how they manage their time.
• Make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity, and other behaviors essential to health.
• Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.

Middle School Age (11-13) – Up to 2 hours per day

• At this age, children can understand the concept of balance. It is up to parents to help them see how screen time fits into their schedule.
• If you find your child getting really into a certain video game for a week or two, help them understand the benefits of moderation.
• Help your children understand that recognizing when we are spending too much time doing any one thing is a valuable life skill.
• Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.

For Everyone (14 and older – you too, parents)

• Communal screen activities positively engage children in different ways! Break down screen time’s inherent tendency to isolate us by enjoying a movie night or trip to the theater together.
• Participate in regular, physical activity together – walks, bike rides, trips to the park, etc.
• Model the type of behavior you want – limit your own screen time to 2 hours per day.
• Reinforce the message by having consistent conversations about appropriate amounts of screen time.
• Designate media-free time together, such as at the dinner table, in the car, etc.to achieve balance.

Balancing screen time is not an easy job. I, too, struggle to find balance. Please know that we (parents, educators, and students) are all in this together.

Stacia L. McFadden, Director of Academic Technology, the Lovett School

To participate in Stacia’s workshop as well as a dozen others at our Winter Institute, click: https://gurianinstitute.com/events/gurian-winter-institute-2020/.  On that webpage, you can learn more about the event and training and also register.  We hope to see you there!

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use.” aap.org, 21 Oct. 2016, www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/

     aap-press-room/Pages/, American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use.aspx. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.