Those calm, quiet, and peaceful moments are hard to come by when you’ve got little ones, and even not-so-little ones. Sometimes we just need time to think. Or time to shop without constant interruption and pestering little voices asking you to buy that sugary cereal. Letting our kids have screen time can just make our hectic lives a bit easier. But it’s probably making life easier in the short term and harder in the long term – for everyone. Limiting screen time for kids takes a lot of resolve.
I Just Want to Get Something Done!
It’s just easier to hand over your phone or your tablet and let the kids watch a video, play a game, or just be easily distracted, just so you can GET SOMETHING DONE FOR ONCE without interruption. In the short term, it feels like an easy solution. But in the long term what are we doing? What are the consequences of using screen time to entertain our kids? If I know what the risks are, will I take a different approach? Will limiting screen time be better for all of us?
The Downside of Screen Time
USE IT AS A TOOL NOT A TOY
Don’t let screen time become the only way to soothe, or pacify, or keep your kids occupied. Although screen time is entertaining, kids need to learn to entertain themselves, use their imaginations, calm themselves, self-soothe, and turn to a myriad of other options. They will never learn to emotionally self-regulate if they only turn to screen time. Technology is better used as a tool and not a toy. Limiting screen time for kids may take some time for everyone to get used to.
IS A REWARD ALWAYS NECESSARY?
Don’t use screen time as a bribe to get your kids to do tasks, or behave better. You’ll soon have a bratty kid on your hands who will only do things if there is a reward involved. Kids need to learn to do the mundane tasks involved in family life, without any kind of incentive. Cleaning your room, clearing the table after meals, and being nicer to your brother/sister are just part of life and a reward isn’t always involved or warranted.
TECHNOLOGY CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE
Some researchers have found that using these devices can stimulate the release of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in cravings and desire and using devices can become addictive. Even the former Vice President of Facebook User Growth, Chamath Palihapitiya, admitted, “The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works,” The technology developers have created a scenario in which limiting screen time can become a battle not only with our kids, but within ourselves.
IT CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
An article in Time Magazine, January 2019, states that “researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics that more screen time is linked to poorer progress on key developmental measures such as communication skills, problem solving and social interactions among young kids over time.”
“Researchers at San Diego State University suggest that more than one hour per day of screen time for children ages two to seventeen is associated with lower psychological well-being.” Limiting screen time for kids is creating less anxiety and depression in children and teens.
It’s Affecting Brains and Skulls!
A recent study at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia found that people are growing horns (external occipital protuberances) on the back of the head from the constant tilt of the head while using cell phones. Well, they aren’t actually growing horns but they are growing bone spurs. Researchers in Australia found young adults 18-30 years old had developed bone spurs on the back of their heads. These bone spurs are growing on the occipital bone – the base of the skull. Over time – years – looking down at a small screen, device, tablet is causing hornlike protuberances found in young adults who have been looking at screens over the years. This forward leaning posture also causes what is known as “Tech Neck” or “Text Neck”.
Chiropractors Association of Saskatchewan
Your neck muscles get weakened over time and your body responds by growing bone spurs. “Health researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast say the over-use of smartphones and hand-held technologies has led to an increase in young people developing a “horn-like” bone growth at the back of the skull.”
allhealthykids.org
The Symptoms of Tech Neck are:
- Neck pain
- Upper back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Chronic Headaches
- Nerve damage
- Spine degeneration
Create Rules Limiting Screen Time For Kids
Children crave structure. It gives them a feeling of security:
- Set an example. Be the role model. If you’re constantly on your phone or tablet, your kids will mirror your behavior. Watching or listening to your kids is like looking in a mirror. They learn everything from you. Yes. That can be a bit scary too!
- Set a timer while kids are on a screen. We all know how all-consuming screen time can be. Next thing you know you’ve been on your computer for hours. Screen time can suck the day away before you know it. Let them know before the timer is set. Having the expectation that time is up will make the transition away from screen time easier.
- No tablets or phones or videos in the car. Some of the best conversations can happen in the car- either between you and your child or between your kids and their friends. Driving car pool was always so much fun too. Sometimes the kids would just forget I was there and I learned so much from being quiet and listening.
- No phones at meal times. Meal times are times for families to connect. Find a box for the kids to decorate. Let everyone know all phones or tablets go into the box at meal time.
- Don’t use screen time or lack of screen time as a punishment or a reward. Even though it works! This quick fix will bite you in the butt later. It will turn into bribery and kids will expect a reward for something that should be done as part of the family or the family life. Everyone has to contribute. But kids need to learn innate motivation.
What to Do Instead of Screen Time
Make it a habit to require your kids to get busy doing anything else.
- Get them involved in cooking with you. It can be as simple as Pillsbury cookie dough or as involved as helping cook dinner for the family. If you’ve got a baby, place your baby in the bouncy chair and talk about everything you’re doing while you’re cooking.
- Read with or to them. Instead of a Kindle book, grab a real live book.
- Take them for a walk or a bike ride.
- While grocery shopping, if you’ve got children who can read, send them down the aisles to find items on your list for you.
- Ask them to plan a dinner.
- Art is always a great alternative. Drawing, painting, coloring.
- Go to a park and let them play and burn up some energy.
- Build a fort in your living room. Drape sheets over furniture and let the imaginations run wild.
- Play with Play-doh
- Spending 30 minutes a day in their room on their own resting, reading, playing to learn to like being in a quiet place.
- Inviting a friend over – I always found this the best time to get anything done. It was easier to have a friend to keep my kids occupied.
Structure and Routine
Structure and a regular routine make kids feel safe and secure. Having a home life that is predictable gives kids a feeling of physical and emotional safety. You’ll have to find what works for you and your family and, in the long term, you’ll be glad you did.
