{"id":4023,"date":"2023-03-04T07:34:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-04T15:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/?p=4023"},"modified":"2023-08-08T07:48:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T14:48:14","slug":"kids-with-too-much-screen-time-10-tips-for-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/kids-with-too-much-screen-time-10-tips-for-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids With Too Much Screen Time? 10 Tips for Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many parents are worried their children have too much screen time. Between looking at their phones, doing online homework, and gaming, it can feel like our kids never look up from their screens! Kids\u2019 screen time increased during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study<\/a> shows that not only did their time online increase but, it has remained high even as pandemic-related restrictions eased. And this time is mostly being spent for entertainment – not education.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a parent to do? Here are 10 tips to try:<\/p>\n

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  1. Schedule regular screen-free time together.<\/strong> Family dinners are a great place to start. Family walks, game nights, and sporting events are also fun.<\/li>\n
  2. Use family dinners to talk about your family\u2019s media use.<\/strong> Kids are so smart – when you want to reset your family\u2019s media use, start by asking for their input. One technique is to make a list of what they want to do each day and how screen time fits into that list. Ask them something like: \u201cIf you sleep for 8 hours, eat for 1, go to school for 7 – what do you want to do with the left-over time? Play with friends, play sports, read, talk with your family, etc? How much time do you want to spend online?\u201d You may be surprised that they come up with their own limits and \u201crules<\/a>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  3. Set a good example.<\/strong> It\u2019s hard for kids to take us seriously when we ask them to put down their phones if we are also always on our phones. \u201cDo as I say, not as I do\u201d doesn\u2019t really work. So, be sure to put your devices down and on silent mode when you are eating dinner or playing games together.<\/li>\n
  4. Co-view media together.<\/strong> Sharing time watching what your kids are interested in gives you an opportunity to understand their interests better – and to have a dialog about what you see. Doing so offers a chance to learn together and to discuss your family values as they relate to what you have seen.<\/li>\n
  5. Do not feel pressured to introduce technology early.<\/strong> Your young kids will not fall behind if they aren\u2019t on the latest technology from the beginning. Trust that kids can learn to use new devices and media easily when the time is appropriate.<\/li>\n
  6. Skip media use for kids under 2.<\/strong> Children under age 2<\/a> are not yet able to learn from a screen. Instead, they learn by interacting with their caregivers \u2013 talking, singing, playing, and reading with them.<\/li>\n
  7. Limit screen time for kids under 5.<\/strong> Letting kids watch something can give tired parents a much needed break but try to:\n