Screen Time

Screens can be a tool, they should not be a babysitter

While kids are on screens it takes away from their time:

Learning self-regulation, self-reliance, and patience.
Using their imagination and creativity to make up games and entertain themselves.
Playing outside.
Talking and being social with others in the home.
Looking and listening to the environment outside the car, at brother’s practice, etc.
Using their hands and fingers to color, cut, do crafts, build things, do puzzles.
Reading.
Sleeping.

Screen time should be limited to:

No screen time for children under 2.
One hour per day for children 2 to 12.
Two hours per day for teens and adults.

according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

Tips for Limiting Screen Time

Delay getting your child a tablet or smartphone for as long as you can. Because of the dopamine reaction in the brain, it starts a very strong habit that is very difficult to break.
Make sure you have family rules on how much screen time is allowed and what content is allowed.
Teach children to use screens as a tool, for a specific purpose, then stop.
Use screens as part of your quality time together - watching or playing together is best for development.
Think of screens like cake - fun sometimes but not healthy in large doses.
Keep all screens out of your children’s bedroom at night.
Know what your children are looking at - consider keeping screens in public areas of the house so you can see what they’re doing, and use sites like Common Sense Media to choose what you’ll allow (www.commonsensemedia.org).
Use parental controls on devices.
Limit screens for yourself too – put down the phone when your child needs your attention.

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