Can Your Child’s Screen Time Stunt Their Growth?
By Da'Sha'Nae Pharms
You ever been out in public and seen a kid throwing a tantrum?
Maybe this was solved when the caregiver handed them a phone or tablet. Even if this wasn’t the case, there are many other scenarios where you may have witnessed a caregiver hand over some type of portable device to a child.
You might have even been that person giving the child a tablet.
I know I’m guilty of doing it on several different occasions.
Usually a child is occupied with a device with good intentions. Perhaps you decide to give them a device to occupy them while you try to get things done or they are crying in public and you think this will calm them down while you finish the grocery shopping. Since technology has become more advanced and portable, we’re able to see this situation occurring more frequently and in many different settings. Smart phones, tablets, and portable laptops are within easy access everywhere we go. With that being said it’s easy for our kids to be attached to these screens watching their favorite shows, playing games, or listening to music. Doesn’t sound like a problem, right?
It is important though to assess the role technology is having on our and our children’s lives. Many parents want to know if frequent use of screens has adverse effects on child development.
Two major screen time factors to consider are:
The amount of time spent on devices.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children before two years of age should have no screen time.
Those that are two to five years old should be limited to one hour a day and older children to two hours per day.
The type of content the child has access to.
The content should include interactive color or shape games, or programs with an educational/learning goal. For example a social/emotional message, learning, play, science experimentation and the like.
Letting a child aimlessly watch or play anything is not useful screen time.
A child’s social domain can be compromised when exposed to a screen for long periods of time rather than interacting with the people and things in their environment. Social skills are important because they encourage children to play and get along with others and follow instructions. Also, it aids with emotion regulation. This is especially true when other interventions besides a tablet are put into place if they’re throwing a tantrum. We want our children to be able to communicate and behave accordingly in real world situations, and they won’t be able to do that if they’re in front of a screen all the time.
Another domain is their cognitive-educational development. Games and videos that engage them in learning are best. Promote this by having them watch interactive color or shape games, or other educational programs instead of short video clips that are common to find. Introduce them to things that will stimulate them and encourage learning from mathematics to reading. An essential, simple tip that could be very beneficial would be for the caregiver to actively monitor and engage with the child as they are on their device. This is favorable because it allows you to guide them while enhancing their understanding of the activity that they are doing or watching. Just take time to pause the activity and explain further or ask questions. Have a discussion about what is in front of them or even join in the fun. Caregivers can play online games with their children and/or point out interesting aspects of a show and ask questions. All of this will help them learn, have fun and engage in a social interaction with you. Lastly, you are able to closely monitor the amount of time that is being spent on the activities. Make sure outside of the time you set for screen time you implement other activities to stimulate your child’s growth in all domains. Some can include imaginary play, setting up play dates with peers, playing a game outside, or going to the park.
Resources
The American Academy of Pediatrics Media and Children Communication Toolkit: https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx
Hawkey, E. (2019). Media use in childhood: Evidence-based recommendations for caregivers: https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/newsletter/2019/05/media-use-childhood
Managing Screen-time in Covid-19 Advice: https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/8-tips-for-managing-screen-time-during-covid-19