Children love electronic devices. A lot of adults do, too. Smartphones, tablets, computers and TV bring us music and video games and connect us with people and events close by and around the world. But children need guidance in electronic use, just as they do with other aspects of life. Parents must monitor children’s screen time to make sure electronics aren’t taking over their lives. Once you understand the risks of overexposure to electronics, you’ll want to take an active role in how much and how your child uses these devices.

Protect Your Child by Monitoring Screen Time 

Why should you be concerned about your children’s screen time? Researchers have found many reasons parents should be aware of what their children see on their screens. They should know whom their children are interacting with and whether they’re exposed to questionable content. 

Overuse can lead to physical problems like vision disorders. In addition, while social media can be fun and engaging, it can also hurt your child’s ability to connect on a personal level. It can also subject your child to cyberbullying, which has become a significant concern in recent years.

If these issues already worry you, researchers have also found that you’re far from alone.

How Much Time Do Kids Spend on Screens?

In fact, most parents feel guilty about how much time their children spend on electronic screens, according to a study conducted with Google Surveys. More than half of the responding parents said they felt very or somewhat guilty about their children’s screen time. No wonder: According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children ages 8-12 spend an average of 4 to 6 hours a day on electronic screens while teens spend up to 9 hours. 

Usage is even higher among children in lower-income families. According to research reported by Statista, tweens whose families earned less than $35,000 a year spent an average of almost 6 hours a day on electronic devices. In comparison, children in households earning more than $100,000 spend about 4 hours a day on digital screens.

And the screen habit begins early, according to research reported in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children start using digital media devices as young as 6 months old; by their teens, they’re spending almost 7 hours a day on social media, playing video games and watching TV and movies. Many children have their own devices by age 4 but have been using them far earlier – and are “media multitasking,” jumping between devices and between apps and websites on each device, by ages 3 to 5. In addition, researchers say many parents give electronic devices to keep them calm and at bedtime.

Can all this screen time be good for children? Not according to research by experts in child development.

When Kids Get Too Much Screen Time

​First, how much screen time is too much for children? The Mayo Clinic recommends no more than 1 hour a day of screen time for children ages 2-5. Those 6 and older, including teens, should be on screens no more than 2 hours a day, not counting educational use.

Consistently spending more time than that can lead to problems with these areas:

Eyes

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns of several vision problems. For example, a child who stares at the screen for an extended time without a break can suffer eye fatigue and headaches. This can also cause their eyes’ focusing system to malfunction, so when the child does look up from the screen, everything looks blurry. And because they’re probably not blinking as much, especially when playing video games, their eyes can get dry and irritated.

Spine and Neck

Sitting hunched over for hours, looking down at the phone or gaming device, can cause discomfort and even deformity. 

Social Development

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) lists numerous emotional and social problems. For example, spending hours a day on digital screens can lead to sleep problems, poor school performance and isolation from friends and family. In addition, your child could be at risk of obesity from lack of physical exercise and the tendency to snack on convenience foods (healthy eating cuts into gaming or social media time). 

Exposure to Unhealthy Influences

Unrestricted digital media can also expose your child to unhealthy and even dangerous influences, the  AACAP warns. From websites showing inappropriate sexual content to “entertainment” sites that encourage risky stunts, your child could be learning about mature adult behavior long before it’s suitable. Other sites may expose your child to racism, bigotry and hatred, undermining your family’s beliefs. 

Another area of concern is cyberbullying, in which a child becomes the target of cruel texts and social media posts. This can do lasting damage to the child’s self-esteem. In a few rare cases, it has been known to lead to suicide.

Ways to Monitor Your Child’s Screen Time

Knowing all this, should you just gather up your child’s devices, throw them out and live an analog life? Of course not. Digital devices can be useful tools that educate, engage and connect us. They can have positive influences along with negative ones. They’re a permanent part of modern life; we have to learn to use them intelligently.

You can offer them alternatives to digital media – getting them away from the screen, out of the house and socializing with others their age, at least for a while. Be Strong International has several programs where children and teens can get together in a fun, friendly environment while also learning useful life and academic skills. 

But as much fun as we offer them, we know they’ll probably never give up digital media entirely. That means parents must monitor their digital screen time and know what their children are consuming. Here are some ways to do that:

Set Reasonable Limits

Decide how much time your child can spend using screens for recreational use. Be fair and realistic; don’t expect your teen to suddenly cut back from 8 to 2 hours a day on their smartphone. Make sure you leave time for homework, socializing with family and friends, and sleep. Be clear on what “educational use” means; it should be directly related to school assignments. If your child has a problem obeying digital limits, you may have to hold them in a safe place during off-limits times.

Create No-Technology Zones

You can make places and times of day off-limits to technology, like mealtime or when you’re in the car. Let everyone in the family know you want them to be present for each other. This can also get children in the habit of not texting while driving when they get older.

Use Parental Controls

If you’re worried about what your child is seeing or experiencing, install one of the many applications that can track their activity on social media, games and texting. Some will also block inappropriate content and let you set a time limit.  

Use Screen Time as a Reward

If you’re limiting your child’s screen time, give a one-time bonus as a reward for good behavior. For instance, you could give an extra hour for each “A” they get on a report card or if they do extra chores without being asked. Just don’t use it as a punishment, especially with teens; make it a tool for encouraging good behavior.

Be an Example

Are you texting in the car or at the dinner table? When you take the family to the beach or pool, do you check your email or visit websites on your phone? Children will follow your example more than they follow your words, so don’t expect them to limit their digital time if you can’t limit yours.

Take Regular Tech Breaks

Remind your child to give their body and brain a rest. Look up from the screen, set the phone down and move. The American Optometric Association calls it the 20/20/20 rule: Look away from the screen every 20 minutes, focus on an object at least 20 feet away, and do this for at least 20 seconds. Doctors also recommend getting up and moving for 10 minutes every hour. Set an alarm on their cellphone to enforce this. You can even get software programs that turn off the screen at regular intervals.

Get Regular Vision Screenings

Your child may not say anything if they’re having vision problems; they may not even realize they’re having them or think anything can be done. However, all children should have their vision checked regularly, especially if they log a lot of screen time.

Talk to Your Child

Being aware of the digital content your child is consuming will not only help you keep them from harm but can also help you connect with them. Show interest in how they’re spending their time online and share what you’ve been doing. Make sure they understand your values and encourage them to come to you to talk about anything disturbing or uncomfortable that they encounter. Let them know you’re here to listen and to answer their questions.

Monitor Screen Time for Happier, Healthier Children

Like anything else in a child’s life, digital media can be a force for good or a tool of destruction. The difference often comes down to moderation. Monitoring your child’s screen time and setting limits can help you to protect your child and keep digital media as the helpful resource it was meant to be.