Should I Rethink My Child’s Screen Time?

From watching TV to tablet time to scrolling on smartphones, screen time has taken over many children’s lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all teenagers in the U.S. spend more than four hours in front of screens every day. That’s more than double the recommended screen time for adolescents. While there are some positives to screen time — like staying connected with loved ones or enriching schoolwork — too much time in front of screens can have drawbacks for children and teens.

Too much screen time is undoubtedly harmful, but some screen time, like online tutoring, video chatting with friends or relatives, and engaging with educational content, can benefit children. Managing screen time, including balancing with physical activity, family interaction and rest, can help your child stay at their best.

How Screen Time Impacts Your Child’s Health

While a little screen time is safe for older children, too much can affect your child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

An abundance of screen time can be detrimental to your child's physical health. Whether your child is watching morning cartoons, playing on their table or scrolling social media they're not being physically active while glued to a screen. Spending too much time in front of a screen can take away from healthy childhood activities such as spending time with family, reading or playing outside. This physical impact can affect their emotional health as well.

Unsupervised screen time can be harmful to your child's mental health. Many experts recommend parental controls to monitor what content they engage with, yet it's still possible to not be aware of everything they view despite having controls in place. As a result, your child may be exposed to content featuring violence, negative stereotypes, inaccurate information or cyberbullying.

Too much screen time can also lead to problems like:

• Anxiety and depression

• Difficulty concentrating

• Poor self-image

• Lower grades in school

• Trouble sleeping

• Vision problems, including nearsightedness (myopia)

• Weight problems or obesity

Setting a Limit on Screen Time

As parents and caregivers, you may be considering setting a limit for your child's screen time. But how much screen time is too much? Most experts agree children under 2 years old should not have screen time at all except for video chatting alongside an adult. Children and teens over 2 years old should limit their screen time to 1 to 2 hours a day. However, each family is different and how you spread this time out throughout the week can vary. For example, you may want to allow more screen time on weekends. Or, if your child seems reliant on screens, you might cut screen time even lower than the recommendations.

If these schedules feel daunting, remember setting a screen time limit provides structure and consistency for your child — both of which are important to helping them learn and grow. These limits can help improve:

Mental well-being by reducing anxiety and depression while improving focus

Physical health by encouraging more active play

Sleep quality by limiting screen use before bedtime

While you can find recommended screen time schedules, you know your family best. Set an ideal schedule that works for you. Talk to your child about their screen time limit and explain why sticking to it is good for their well-being. Remember to be flexible and recognize when adjustments need to be made.

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Screen Time

Cutting screen time can be tough, but healthy screen use is possible with proper guidance, communication and consistency. In addition to setting a daily or weekly limit, you can take other steps to reduce screen time and its impacts on your child’s health, including:

• Avoiding using screens to stop tantrums

• Being a role model by limiting your own screen time

• Encouraging your child to follow the 20-20-20 rule to preserve their vision (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)

• Prioritizing quality content, like educational programs, during screen time

• Shutting off screens an hour before bedtime — and keeping screens out of bedrooms

• Talking to your child about online safety

• Turning off screens during family meals

• Understanding and using parental controls

Like many things in life, balance is key when it comes to screen time. If your child spends an hour in front of the TV, make sure they play outside or read a book afterward. And if you need support navigating your child’s screen time, reach out to their pediatrician.

Looking for support and guidance on how to limit your child’s screen time? Children’s Nebraska is here to help. With a comprehensive, balanced approach to your child’s health, we’re here to support your family as you navigate these challenges. Schedule a get-to-know-you visit with a pediatrician to learn more.