Is Your Child an Addict? A Parent’s Guide to Reducing Screen Time

Parents around the world are feeling the strain—and the shame—of screen time. With over 90% of Australian kids spending 6+ hours on their devices a day, we all have some blame to share. Owen Smith, director of Association of Learning, the leading online provider of child psychology training, is going to break down good versus bad screen time, the potential benefits and disadvantages of screen time for children, and strategies for parents to help reduce screen time in a healthy and constructive way.

Is my child addicted to screens?

While not a formal diagnosis, screen addiction is a common worry for many parents. It’s hard to deny the noticeable effects of technology addiction, including reduced social activity, increased irritability, and withdrawn behaviour. It’s equally difficult to know how much screen time is normal. “The way young people socialise has changed dramatically since we introduced phones and social media,” says Owen. “Kids now appear to have little to no social life in what we consider to be ‘the real world,’ but actually maintain a rich network of friends online.”

Win the war, not just the battle

“The issue around children and technology grows with them,” Owen explains. “It starts with the iPad and YouTube; next they want the phone, which comes with social media and more video-sharing apps. It’s nearly impossible for parents to say no and avoid technology altogether, so we need to strike a happy balance.”

Many parents find that their child is used to a certain amount of screen time or has gotten into a routine with their tech. It can be very difficult to break the hold that technology has over them. Experts suggest that screen time for children should be limited to under two hours a day. Owen disagrees: “Limiting kids to two hours of overall screen time a day isn’t realistic for the world we’re raising them in; they probably have had two hours of screen time by the end of the school day.” He says, “What matters is the type of screen time and how it’s monitored.”

Good vs Bad Screen Time

We all know the difference between junk food and healthy food, but when it comes to nourishing our brains, it can be a little bit more nuanced. “Recognising the difference between ‘good’ screen time and ‘bad’ screen time is the first step parents need to take.” Owen recommends parents follow these guidelines for tech use:

‘Good’

1. Educational Apps and Games: Using apps and games that teach math, science, language, and critical thinking skills, such as math puzzle games or language-learning apps, stimulates your child’s cognitive development, enhances problem-solving abilities, and promotes academic readiness.
2. Quality Content Consumption: Watching age-appropriate and educational videos on kid-appropriate platforms like Netflix or YouTube Kids can help children form an understanding of the world around them and spark their curiosity.
3. Creative Projects, Homework, and Skill-Building: These activities foster self-expression, creativity, and problem-solving skills, allowing children to explore their interests. Screen time can also be a valuable tool for academic and personal growth.

‘Bad’

Mindless Scrolling: This type of screen time is unproductive, time-consuming, and can result in your child feeling empty or dissatisfied.

1. Excessive Video Game Use: Excessive gaming can lead to addiction, reduced physical activity, and impaired social development.
2. Unsupervised Social Media: This can expose children to cyberbullying, privacy risks and may lead to feelings of isolation or inadequacy.
3. Passive Content Consumption: Passive consumption, like binge-watching TV shows, lacks mental engagement and can lead to sedentary behaviour.

Back Away from the Screen

Knowing the types of screen time is helpful, but it can be another fight entirely to actually remove the screens or limit the consumption of social media.

“Young children and teenagers can be the most difficult to manage when it comes to taking active steps to limit their screen time.” Owen says, “It can feel impossible to monitor, but there are steps you can take without ruining your own day.” Parents who are finding it especially difficult to deal with their child’s behaviour are encouraged to have a look at online child psychology courses, which can be studied at home and contain a wealth of information helpful not just for screen-limiting but for all phases of development.

Here are some methods Owen recommends to help your child manage their screen time:

1. Open communication: “Start by having an open conversation with your kids, no matter their ages, and let them know that you’re aware of their behaviour regarding tech and express concern about their screen time and social media use. Explain why you’re concerned, and listen to their perspective and feelings as well.”
2. Set clear expectations and boundaries: “Next, clearly outline your expectations regarding screen time and social media use. Discuss the rules and consequences you’ve decided to enforce for violating them. It’s paramount that your children understand your limits and the reasons behind them.”
3. Use parental controls: “For some parents, this crosses the line, but using parental control software or the built-in parental controls on their devices will limit their device use, and they can’t sneak around it (believe me, they’ll try).”
4. Establish screen-free zones and times: “Lastly, I recommend designating areas of your home, like the dinner table and bedrooms, as screen-free zones. Setting dinner time as a screen-free hour or two can make a big dent in their usage.”

While the battle against screen time is a daily challenge for parents, it’s a battle worth fighting. By recognising the nuances of screen time and engaging in constructive dialogue with your children, you can work together to strike a balance that ensures healthy screen use while nurturing their overall development. “Remember, it’s a journey, not a destination, and each step forward is a little victory,” says Owen. “Take the tantrums with a grain of salt, you’re doing the right thing.”