Screen time guidelines: 3 tips every parent can use

Father and son share a moment together

Now with online learning becoming the norm, children’s screen time has gone up. Technology is increasingly solidifying its place in the way in which learning is conducted. With that comes some concerns about the implications it can have on children’s social development. Some of these concerns include attention span, social anxiety, and sleep habits. It is critical to equip young learners with the correct habits for their increased screen time so they may have a healthy relationship with technology. Below are some are three screen time guidelines you can implement to nurture healthy habits with your child.

GET TO KNOW YOUR CHILD'S CURRENT HABITS

How are the screens currently being used outside of learning? Consider whether the activities being done online function as a tool for being social or being creative. How the screen time is being consumed can help you better allocate the right habits and understand how to encourage a balance.

UNPLUG AND CREATE SOME HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

Family gathers in kitchen to make dinner together

Children need to practice healthy boundaries with screen time by having hours in the day where they unplug, so to say. Come together as a family unit to settle on a time where everyone is offline and consciously present. Maximize on these tech-free hours with activities that can incorporate physical activity (helping with household chores), or family bonding (eating dinner together without distractions).

PICK A PLACE IN YOUR HOME THAT IS FOR LEARNING

Another helpful strategy to create healthy habits is to break up the areas in the home that are used for screen time or online learning. Allocate a space designated for learning in order to separate them from non-learning tech-use such as recreation or socialization. This can aid in reducing distractions and honoring interruption-free learning.

Many parents worry about screen time, especially during the pandemic. But with some simple changes, children can achieve the right balance of screen time and life outside of it.

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