Research suggests quality, not quantity, is what matters

Rather than fuss about screen time, parents need to focus on what their kids are watching

How much screen time is too much for kids? It’s complicated. Parents have been advised to limit media consumption, but research suggests it’s the nature of the content, rather than screen time itself, that matters. For many parents in the digital age, battles over screen time and devices have become a depressing part of family life.

Whether it’s three-yearolds throwing tantrums when the iPad is taken away, sevenyear-olds watching YouTube all night, nine-year-olds demanding their own phones, 11-year-olds nagging to play 18-rated video games that “all their friends” are, or 14-yearolds who are never off Instagram, every stage of childhood and adolescence is now accompanied by its own new parenting challenges.

High-quality content

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still recommends a maximum of one hour of “high-quality programming” for children under 6, but thereafter simply encourages parents to “place consistent limits on the time spent using media” and designate screenfree time as a family.

Many parents will be relieved to hear that recent research suggests that it’s not so much the length, but the nature of the screen time that matters.

Jocelyn Brewer, a psychologist who specialises in the concept of “digital nutrition”, likens media diets to what’s on our plates: rather than counting calories (or screen time), think about what you’re eating.

“It’s not just about whether you consume any potential digital junk foods, but also your relationship to technology and the role it plays in your family life,” says Brewer. “We know that using screens to soothe or pacify kids sets up some concerning patterns of relying on devices to calm or distract a child (or teen, or adult) from their experience of unpleasant or uncomfortable emotions — so we want to avoid using screens to placate tantrums, just like we want to avoid eating ‘treats’ to calm emotional storms.”

For young children, the most important thing is whether parents and kids are playing, watching or browsing together.

Most research agrees that although specific screen time limits are dated, there does come a point where excessive device use has negative impacts, affecting sleep, health and mood. Talk about kids and technology usually tends towards the negative, but it doesn’t have to be so.

New creative outlet

The internet and video games can be fun, social and provide a new creative outlet for children.

The consensus is that screen time, in and of itself, is not harmful — and reasonable restrictions vary greatly, depending on a child’s behaviour and personality.

There is little point in obsessing over how many minutes a day your kids are spending with screens. Instead, parents should be doing what they can to ensure that what they’re watching, playing and reading is high-quality, age-appropriate and safe — and joining in wherever possible.

“It’s important there is balance in the online and offline worlds and in leisure and learning,” says Brewer. “Research shows that not having access to the digital world has a negative impact on kids — so it’s about finding the right amount with a holistic approach.”

For young children, the most important thing is whether parents and kids are playing, watching or browsing together.