Screen-time & Young Children
A child’s opportunities to engage in play are a cornerstone of healthy and happy development. However, what are we to do when the very definition of play has changed so drastically since the invention of the smartphone?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children younger than two should have little to no screen time, yet very young children are exposed to and interacting with mobile devices. Early childhood is understood as a critical time when children should be engaging in play, building healthy secure attachment and relationships, and establishing a foundation for self-regulation.
So what do we do when we see that our kids are becoming more and more attached to their tablets? One study cited that approximately 47% of children introduced to using mobile devices prior to the age of 18-months-old.
Early and extended screen use for children has been linked to several developmental concerns related to attachment, relationships, and behavior. Issues such as:
Disturbance of sleep-patterns and healthy sleep
Difficulties with self-control
Difficulties with self-regulation
Lower quality relationships with caregivers or peers
Specifically for adolescents- depression and suicidal ideation related to separation from mobile devices
Correlations to behaviors associated with ADHD such as high-energy, difficult to discipline, low attention span, difficulties regulating emotions, or displaying a need for constant stimulation
It is important to note that studies have suggested a potentially bidirectional relationship between symptoms of ADHD and screen-time. It is unclear just yet if screen-time causes ADHD symptoms, or if children who display these sorts of characteristics are more likely to be given more time on screens.
Many parents report a challenging internal conflict related to the need to allow children to engage in the learning opportunities and technology trends, given that technology is such an important part of our lives—particularly in 2020. However, many of these parents also report feeling that although they want their kids to have the education in technology that they need in order to be successful, they also see the evidence that screen-time may be hurting their kids. Fears around overuse of screens, symptoms that seem to be linked to screen-time, and a shared feeling that their kids are almost “addicted” to tablets were all common themes among parents and caregivers overuse.
Currently, there is not yet a consensus in the mental health field related to screen-time being a clinical concern. However, it has been found that many mental health professionals, particularly those that work with children and teens, have made screen-time an important topic for assessment and treatment of behavioral and social/emotional concerns with kids. Through in depth-interviews with several experts in the field, here are some suggestions for how to help kids get off screens and back into play and family life:
Set strict limits on the amount of time kids are allowed to use screens on weekdays/weekends.
It is important to involve your children in this conversation. Allowing for their voice to be heard and understood during conversations related to limit-setting is an important way to build their sense of autonomy and self-worth. (Oftentimes we find that kids actually end up choosing shorter amounts of time than what parents might have had in mind!) Once there is a family consensus on limits around screen-use, it is very important to remain consistent and strict on the agreements.
Ensure little to no screen-time approximately 30-45 minutes prior to bedtime.
Phones and tablets are powered with blue light—this is the artificial lighting that comes from our screens. This blue light throws our sleep patterns out of whack and can impact sleep quality and mood. This blue light is related to serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with the regulation of mood and social behavior, as well as melatonin, which controls our sleep-wake cycle.
Have open conversations with kids about the dangers of Internet use.
When kids are using devices it is nearly impossible to supervise their every move on the internet or on the phone, and typically when parents try to do this, it ends up making the child feel as though their parents do not trust them. No matter how much we trust and love our children—curiosities are inevitable. It is important to have difficult conversations related to content on the internet. This is not only related to pornography or dark web content, but this also applies to images and content on social media, what internet bullying is, and how important it is to be skeptical about what we read online.
Find a way to ensure that kids wont be sneaking their devices .
Devices often become somewhat of an obsession with kids. They want to be using it, even when they are not supposed to. According to many mental health professionals—it is not “too much” to hide or lock phones away from kids at night. There are many ways of doing this, things like changing the password at night, putting it away in a locked box or place the child absolutely does not have access to, or turning off wifi/data at night time. Research supports how many parents feel a little bit lost when it comes to how to control use and when it really is too much. It is not too much to take the extra steps necessary to ensure that your child is getting a good night sleep.
Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.