Is Screen Time good for your Children?

Everywhere we look there’s articles about how bad screens are for our children, but are these devices (smartphones, tablets, TVs, computers, etc.) really so bad?

No matter how hard you try to keep them away, screens are everywhere and a reality of life, however you can limit your child’s screen time according to their age.

* 18 months and younger – Avoid screen time all-together
* 18 to 24 months – slowly introduce educational digital programming
* 2 to 5 years – Limit screen time to one hour or less each day
* 6 years and older – Consistent limits on each type of digital media, including the TV, computer, tablet, etc.

But what effect does screen time really have on your children’s brains and their lives? As a parent you need to ask yourself these questions…

     1.   Are screens educational?

Yes, they can be educational because apps can be installed onto a smartphone, tablet, PC, etc. These apps are a fun, effective and involving way to help kids learn faster.

However, there is a negative side – screens can never be a replacement for an actual good teacher!

     2.   Are screens going to bring us together or drive us apart?

Screens can bring families together when it comes to joint media engagement, such as watching a classic movie or playing games together.

However, simply reading a story together, crafting or playing with actual toys is a better way to spend quality time together and bond without the screens.

     3.   Are screens going to negatively affect our social abilities?

On one hand it does indeed mess up a child’s ability to communicate face-to-face. A study showed that children who used their time to do crafts and didn’t have access to any devices were better at human communication and emotions.

However, it’s time to relax and stop freaking out about screens! Rather than focusing on whether they use screens or not focus on whether your children are doing activities and socialising with friends. Their lives are going to include screen time because that is the world we are living in right now, but make sure they don’t overdo it and become sedentary and isolated.

Look at your children’s screen time like you would look at their diet – moderation and healthy food in general, but there’s nothing wrong with some junk food every now and then.

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