Follow 3 C’s to guide kids’ screen time
Parents should consider child, content, context
As coronavirus lockdowns spread across the country, many parents are turning to television, tablets and video games more than they typically would. In fact, TV, streaming platforms and app downloads have all seen notable increases in their use since the pandemic started. Although part of this time in front of screens is related to remote teaching in virtual classrooms, children’s television viewing has skyrocketed since the pandemic began. Channels like the Cartoon Network, the Disney Channel, Boomerang and Nickelodeon have reported viewing increases by as much as nearly 60% in a single week.
As parents and scientists who study and treat disease in kids (one of us is an epidemiologist and the other a pediatrician) we understand how jarring it is to see our children suddenly glued to “Frozen 2” at 8 a.m. And after years of following guidelines to limit their media exposure, it’s hard not to wonder whether all of this screen time is OK. Will going from strictly limiting our kids’ media exposure to a cartoon free-for-all harm them? Isn’t screen time still bad?
Not necessarily, said Dr. Jenny Radesky, a pediatrician and expert on children and media at the University of Michigan’s
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She said parents need to stop thinking about screen time in a negative way. “Even the phrase ‘screen time’ itself is problematic,” she said, meaning some people think all screens are bad. “It reduces the debate to a black-and-white issue, when the reality is much more nuanced.”
On March 17, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a statement in response to the new coronavirus that reflected a different approach to screen time. The statement acknowledged that “kids’ screen media use will likely increase” during the coronavirus pandemic, but did not offer specific time limits. Instead, the statement stressed that screen time limits “are still important” and urged parents to “preserve offline experiences.”
This approach to time limits was deliberate. “We are trying to prevent parents from feeling like they are not meeting some sort of standard,” said Radesky, who helped craft the statement.
“There is no science behind this right now. If you are looking for specific time limits, then I would say: Don’t be on it all day.”
It’s understandable that parents might want some concrete guidance on how to ensure that their child’s screen exposure is healthy and balanced. But instead of focusing on how much time your child spends in front of a screen, Radesky suggested, it might be better to approach their media use in terms of who they are, what they’re watching and how you’re interacting with them. This is what Radesky and others called the “Three C’s” framework: child, content and context.
“You know your child better than anyone else and are therefore the best person to decide what and how much media use is the right amount,” she said. So, for example, if your child is anxious, avoid the news or a scary video. If your child likes music, find programming that incorporates singing, like a musical with a soundtrack you can listen to later together.
In terms of content, quality matters more than the quantity of time or size of screens being used. This holds true for children of all ages. For younger kids, try to prioritize content developed by reputable sources, like PBS Kids. Organizations such as Common Sense Media offer age-based recommendations for movies, television, books, apps and games and can be good starting places to look for ideas or to learn more about the media your kids are already using. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Cincinnati Zoo also offer live cameras that entertain as well as educate and are good distractions for toddlers.
Live cameras also mimic real life at a realistic pace, which has been shown to lessen overstimulation — when developing brains get overexcited by a barrage of sensory experience. For instance, some researchers believe that fast-paced, stimulating shows, like “PJ Masks,” may be more likely to trigger attentional problems in children over the long term than slower-paced media that’s more relatable and less distracting, like “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Older kids may turn to video games, which many experts say are not associated with violent behavior. Remember that teens playing video games like “Fortnite” or “Overwatch” are also maintaining social relationships during a time when face-to-face interactions are limited.
Finally, context — how we interact with our children around the media — matters too. Radesky encouraged parents to engage with their kids during their screen time. Taking an interest in what your kids are doing will help build their sense of self-esteem. Clearly, this won’t be possible if you’re hoping the TV will distract your toddler away from your Zoom conference. In these moments, kids can also connect in real time with friends or other family using apps like Caribu, which allows your child to read a book or color with someone remotely.
When you can, help connect your child’s media use with realworld experiences by asking her questions about what she is learning or watching. For example, Radesky suggested watching a cooking video and then translating that into an actual cooking activity as a family.
Finally, remember that it can be helpful for parents to model the behavior they are asking of their kids. There are many reasons you will also be enticed by your smartphone as you, too, are craving social interactions and instant updates on the news. Consider taking a break from your own screens as a good example.