When children engage with digital technology for a long time, several factors need to be considered. The use of digital technologies isn’t harmful per se, rather, it is used for educational purposes. Furthermore, digital mastery is an important skill to develop. It is also important for teenagers socially to form part of a group virtually. This is especially noted from COVID, due to a rise in digital communication and an interruption in face-to face communication.
What does research tell us?
Research indicates that over two hours of daily use can be detrimental as it is associated with other negative outcomes. These could be increased poor health due to posture, being sedentary, lowered self-esteem, and feeling solitary. Lowered self-esteem can lead to an unhealthy sense of self as comparisons can be made with how one’s reality is to what is promoted online. Other aspects associated with increased screen time were increased incidences of mental health issues, addictions, trouble with learning and attention, and decreased performance in thinking and language tasks. Other effects with regards to the physical were monitored in the brain structure from a visible thinning of brain parts.
By keeping these aspects in mind, one may start to think in practical terms of how to manage a child’s screen time. Here are some tips and why they could be useful:
1. Be a role model.
The first step to teaching our children anything is for them to see us do it. Parents can’t expect their children to reduce their use of technology when they are personally using them without limit. Using technology together also encourages openness to what your child is doing and which sites they are visiting – ensuring a safe online environment.
2. Create awareness and communication.
Communication about the correct use of technology and its negative aspects is very important. This teaches the child how to reason things out and make sound decisions depending on facts and observable behaviours. It is important to not simply prohibit something from the child’s life. Rather, explain why you feel that it shouldn’t occur or be present, and come up with solutions of how to substitute this unhealthy or undesirable option.
3. Encourage your child to choose good content.
This goes hand-in-hand with the above point whereby by teaching your child to engage in educational content, age-appropriate content and positive social platforms, you are teaching them to think for themselves and also giving them skills for independence.
4. Encourage and schedule family time to incorporate screen-free activities.
As part of your family’s schedule, try to ensure that screen-time is avoided close to bedtime, meals and even when being outside together. Physical and outdoor activities in nature can also help ensure that your child is being active and healthy. These activities also give you time to connect and don’t need to take up too much time if you feel that your day is already hectic. A short walk, playing a physical game at home with them, or even cooking together encourages bonding and physical activity.
5. Use an app to track usage.
Using an app to track digital usage is quite useful as it can be quite shocking to see the actual amount that one is engaged in throughout the day. This is useful even for us adults, and we can show this to our children and decide together which aspects can be reduced and why there may be certain times were digital use is even more than others.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Abigail Church is a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor who works with adults and children through counselling with Willingness . She can be contacted on abigail@willingness.com.mt or call us on 79291817.
References:
– Neophytou, E., Manwell, L., & Eikelboom, R. (2019). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(3), 724-744.
– Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. (2019). Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: A systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open, 9(1), E023191.
– Neophytou, E., Manwell, L., & Eikelboom, R. (2019). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(3), 724-744.