We have been out and about and seen this, the family is running errands and the child is occupied with a screen, this buys the parent a moment of peace, right? The other day while at a restaurant, the parent was coloring the child's place mat and the child was watching a video on the cell phone. I had to laugh, this seemed a little backwards. Technology is making our lives more efficient and more complicated.
When is it ok? When is it not?
There are new guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics:
Among the AAP recommendations:
Check out the Family Media Plan:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx
There are concerns that some kids are attachment issues with their devices, this next link talks about the problems that kids may be in a constant state of high arousal, due to always "being connected".
An article from Victoria L. Dunckley, MD (Psychology Today) states:
"Both parents and clinicians may be “barking up the wrong tree.” That is, they’re trying to treat what looks like a textbook case of mental disorder, but failing to rule out and address the most common environmental cause of such symptoms—everyday use of electronics. Time and again, I’ve realized that regardless of whether there exists any “true” underlying diagnoses, successfully treating a child with mood dysregulation today requires methodically eliminating all electronics use for several weeks—an “electronics fast”—to allow the nervous system to “reset.”" read the rest of the article here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201508/screentime-is-making-kids-moody-crazy-and-lazy
Limits, clear expectations and rules are needed!
If you don't believe us, just ask Siri or Alexa!
When is it ok? When is it not?
There are new guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics:
Among the AAP recommendations:
- For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
- For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
- For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
- Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
- Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.
Check out the Family Media Plan:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx
There are concerns that some kids are attachment issues with their devices, this next link talks about the problems that kids may be in a constant state of high arousal, due to always "being connected".
An article from Victoria L. Dunckley, MD (Psychology Today) states:
"Both parents and clinicians may be “barking up the wrong tree.” That is, they’re trying to treat what looks like a textbook case of mental disorder, but failing to rule out and address the most common environmental cause of such symptoms—everyday use of electronics. Time and again, I’ve realized that regardless of whether there exists any “true” underlying diagnoses, successfully treating a child with mood dysregulation today requires methodically eliminating all electronics use for several weeks—an “electronics fast”—to allow the nervous system to “reset.”" read the rest of the article here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201508/screentime-is-making-kids-moody-crazy-and-lazy
Limits, clear expectations and rules are needed!
If you don't believe us, just ask Siri or Alexa!
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