Community Corner
Screen Time -- How Much is Too Much?
Parents need to set limits on how much time kids spend on TV, video games, computers and other screens.
Q: My kids just love to watch TV, and it seems that every week they're spending more and more time doing it. I dread the summer, when they'll want to watch from morning until night. What's a parent to do?
A: Who owns that TV? Don't forget, that as a parent, you own your home and everything in it... junior does not. The household and its resources are under your control. Set up time limits and boundaries for TV watching and stick with them!
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At first you'll most likely get a lot of griping, complaining, or even tantrums.... but stand strong. And your limits and guidelines should include all "screens" including video games and computer usage. You don't want them just trading one "vice" for another.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under age 2 have no screen time, and that kids older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming. This should help you establish rules for your household.
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Along with time limits, we've had rules such as no screens until homework is done, no screens during our family dinner hour, and no screens after a certain hour.
Help your kids learn some good replacement activities. They may be out of the habit of making their own fun. Offer up suggestions like outdoor play, bike riding, arts/craft projects, board games, or other interactive/creative pursuits.
During summertime I have set TV time limits, but then offered them the opportunity to "earn" extra TV time by reading books. One hour of free reading could earn an extra 30 minute "ticket" for TV time.
Again, summertime offers lots of opportunities for outdoor play. You may want to also balance their summer free time with some structured activities, like camps, vacation Bible Schools, swim lessons etc.
All in all, overuse of TV or screen time can just be a bad habit that kids, or whole families can get into. With a little bit of effort and intention, that habit can be broken and time can be spent in more valuable and useful activities.
