Ten Top Tips for Screen Time

Increasingly kids are using screens more and more in their daily lives. As a parent it can be really tricky to know how much is too much and how to keep kids safe on the internet especially as they get older.

There are now guidelines on how much screen time is considered ok and how much screen time is too much.Too much screen time can cause difficulty with processing and regulating emotions, decision making skills and the ability to focus one’s attention. This in turn, will have an impact on how kids learn and make friendships. So for these reasons here are some tips to help you manage screen time in your home.

1. Start Early with Screen Time Boundaries. If kids know that there are rules about screen time from a very young age, then this will make life so much easier for you and them when they get older as screen time rules are part of the ‘norm’ in your home.

2. No screen time for children under the age of two (apart from the video call from Nana)

3. Restrict time to one hour for kids aged 2 – 5. This is plenty.

4. As your child gets older no more than two hours a day is a healthy guideline. Of course, there may be some exceptions, but kids need to be out in nature as well, learning social skills by having friends and playing sports.

5. Have ‘no screen time’ times in the day. This might be around the dinner table or while we are eating, an hour before bed (screens can disrupt melatonin), when someone is visiting etc…

6. Digital Literacy is important. Having screen time use restricted to ‘family areas’ is a good way for you to monitor internet use. Make it a ‘thing’ where you can share some internet funny clips. Engage with your kids on what might not be reality and that not everything on the internet should be believed.

7. Remember there are parental controls out there – you are the BOSS, and you make the decisions… not your kids. If you believe your child is not using the internet safely or is having too much screen time, use the OFF button on WiFi.

8. You need to be a role model as well – too much screen time for Mum and Dad takes valuable time away from you and your kids and it communicates a message that being glued to our screens is ok.

9. Have Fun with screens – dancing with Tik Tok or laughing at You Tube funny clips can be a way of connecting with your kids.

10. Screens aren’t ‘bad’ and they can be a great learning tool. It is about getting the balance right and with anything in life ‘too much of a good thing’ can lead to problems.

Karen Campbell
Child Behaviour Specialist
Child Behaviour Service
https://kidslink.co.nz/services…/child-behaviour-service/