Every generation has its “thing.” For most adults, the major debate back in the day was about how much television children should be watching. As television programming grew in popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, much of it targeted young audiences, leading to concerns that the “couch potato” generation would emerge. How would all this screen time affect kids as they grew up? Would they be able to handle responsibilities and real life, even with so many hours spent in front of the TV watching MTV and other dramatic programming? Were TV programmers robbing children of their innocence by exposing them to too much too soon, while parents were too weak to control it?
Looking back, most of us are doing just fine. We survived and have gone on to lead successful lives and families of our own. Now, today’s generation of children has its own “thing”—or things, as the case may be.
Today, “screen time” means something very different than it did in the past. It encompasses everything from violent video games to social media, texting, YouTube videos, Snapchats, and nearly everything in between. The average 4-year-old can manipulate a cellphone to play games, download apps, or watch programming. It’s safe to say that today’s children have much more “screen time” influence in their lives than our generation did.
The question then becomes: how much is TOO MUCH? Most parents express concerns about teenagers, referencing their zombie-like nature and addiction to cellphones and social media. Unlike our day, when we had to wait for our favorite shows to air, kids today can download and stream anything they want at any time. Instead of mobiles hanging over car seats in the back of mom’s SUV, babies and toddlers are satisfied with DVD players and handheld devices. Unsurprisingly, kids today spend an average of 6 hours a day engaged with screens.
So how much is too much in a world addicted to handheld devices and screen time?
According to one report, kids aged 8-18 spend around 44.5 hours per week in front of some sort of screen. One of the top complaints among parents today is that they don’t feel they are getting quality family time with their children. Approximately 23% of youth in a recent study admitted they are likely addicted to video gaming. Dr. Kimberly Young, director of the Center for Internet Addiction (yes, that’s a thing now), reported that nearly 73% of children are getting too much screen time.
But how can YOU tell? For some parents, screen time acts as an automatic babysitter—a way to keep kids quiet in the car or occupied. Is there really any harm in that?
The warning signs of excessive screen and online time are actually fairly easy to spot. Kids may lose track of time while online or watching TV, feel the need to check their phones multiple times a day, or experience withdrawal symptoms (such as agitation and irritability) when unable to connect to the internet or television. Many children categorized as addicted to screens will forgo nearly any other activity to play with their devices. Alarmingly, around half of all children online have met or been approached by strangers, and many kids today seem to have lost the sense of “stranger danger”—another sign of too much media exposure.
There are many concerns about how much time our kids spend engaged with video games, movies, or television, and experts believe these parental worries are justified. As children grow up, they need real, loving, and supportive relationships to form a foundation for their lives. Yet today’s children seem to be getting much of what they need emotionally from the virtual world. While learning to navigate this new environment is important, it is even more crucial for children to learn how to interact in the real world with real people.
Physical play is also vital. Today, kids don’t see the backyard as a playground. Toys “R” Us has reported steady declines in sales of bicycles and outdoor play toys over the last decade. Kids who spend too much time online may struggle to develop interests outside of their screens. They might feel pressured to return to a video game or TV show.
The bottom line is that we know too much screen time is a problem. What we often forget as parents, however, is that the ultimate responsibility lies with us. Parents have the right and power to say no, set limits, and ensure that kids grow up understanding that BALANCE IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE!
Even when the easiest option is to hand a toddler an iPad or let the kids disappear into the basement for hours of video games or YouTube, it isn’t the right choice. The ultimate goal is for our children to grow into adults who can balance their lives, leading to success and productivity. This balance starts in childhood. Parents must establish boundaries that they believe are appropriate and, most importantly, follow through on enforcing them. Instead of complaining about the world our children are growing up in or feeling disconnected within our families, we need to be proactive and take action. Not only is this in the best interest of our families, but it is also crucial for our children’s overall health.
If you’re asking how much time is too much, chances are you already know the answer. Your child may already be getting excessive screen time. Remember, when it comes to your family and your children, YOU are the expert! YOU hold the controls. Use that power to ensure your family experiences balance in their lives.