We all know that excessive screentime isn’t good for children and adults alike. However, we rarely hear concrete guidelines on how much screentime your child should have per day. This article will give you a general overview of current psychological research on screentime and mental health, as well as give you suggestions on how you can manage your child’s screentime!
Screentime guidelines for children
Pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines when it comes to your child’s screentime:
- Under 2: None
- 2-5 years old: No more than 1 hour per day, co-viewing with a sibling
- 5-17 years old: No more than 2 hours per day, except for homework
Excessive screentime is correlated with negative effects on…
- Socioemotional well-being: Some studies have found that time spent watching TV is unfavorably associated with aggression, bullying, and behavioral problems. However, the evidence behind this correlation seems to be fairly mixed.
- Motor development: Several studies have found that children with delayed motor skill development spent more time watching TV than those with typical motor skill development. This could potentially be because of the sedentary behaviors associated with screen time.
- Family functioning: One study found that higher screentime was associated with family members not supporting children’s wellbeing as well as other families with lower screentime.
How can I reduce my child’s screen time?
- Reduce your own screen time. One study found that children tend to model the screentime habits of their parents. Reducing your own screen time can help reduce your child’s screen time as well!
- Find other activities for your child. Outdoor activities and physical activities work particularly well, as your child will get in their daily movement while reducing their screen time!
- Discuss screen time limits with your child. Using a supportive parenting style that recognizes your child’s autonomy has been found to be more effective than a controlling parenting style.
Excessive screentime is a problem many parents struggle with, especially when there is a lack of time and resources to attend to your children during a busy work week. However, trying your best to introduce alternative activities and reducing screentime is incredibly important for the development of your child. Even if you cannot reach the guidelines suggested by pediatricians, try your best to get as close as you possibly can!
