It’s no secret that today, we see children of all ages with screens right in front of them. Even if children do not have access to technology at home, it’s very common for children to have access with their friends, peers, extended family, and especially at school. Maybe this rise in adolescent use of technology has made you concerned about your own children’s screen time. An article from the Center of Excellence; Social Media and Youth Mental Health quoted a 2021 report by Common Sense Media that found the average of screen time based on age range. Tweens ages 8-12 spent and average of 5 and a half hours daily on the screen. Teens ages 13 to 18 would spend about 8 hours and 39 minutes daily. Excluding time spent doing schoolwork, this is far beyond the recommended 2-hours of recreational screen use.
If you’re wondering “well, how much screen time should my kids have?”, it’s important to consider what are they doing when they’re using technology, and how are they using their screen time? So often, adults and parents only see the recreational side of screens, when children are playing games or watching TV, but technology can also be used for learning! While it’s been reported that “Teens are spending an hour and a half on social media, most frequently using Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, and Twitter/X,” teens also have alternative growing interests “during this age range with 22% of them saying they enjoy listening to podcasts,” which can be great sources of education and inspiration.
Does your child see technology as a tool for learning, or as a source for play? What are they interested in? How much time do they spend on the screen daily? For the younger children, consider setting boundaries on when it’s appropriate for them to be on their screens. IOS devices have access to Parental Control such as setting App blockers or time limits for Apps, or Google Family Link for Android. For the tweens and teens, a good place to start is to have an open conversation with about their screen time and technology usage. At this age, they may seek more independence, so consider making firm expectations and norms, and agree on consequences together to maintain accountability.
What tools are on the techno-toolbelt? Other than podcasts, there are plenty of other accessible apps and websites that can be great educational tools to help children and teens build their skills! For younger children, Khan Academy Kids, ABC mouse, or Splash Learn are all common platforms. YouTube also offers plenty of kid-friendly videos you can watch along with them, and spark discussion! For teens, New York Times word games like Wordle, using Duolingo to learn new languages, or doing puzzles on Chess.com are popular, but great ways to keep the mind exercised. Some apps feature new words daily, right on your home screen! Hoping to encourage more reading, local library apps and kindles are perfect!
Looking for free and reliable resources? I highly recommend checking out your local library. There are books on books…on books, with any and every genre you could ask for and more! Not only that, but many libraries also offer other resources like public computers and free Wi-Fi, movies, documentaries, music, CDs, podcasts, and sometimes even board games! If you’re in the Portland area like me, your library may even offer free
monthly adventure passes that grant you access to exciting local spots for you and your children, like RICE Museum of Rocks C Minerals or the FLIP Museum where imagination can take over! Another great thing about libraries is that many host or advertise an assortment of local events happening all throughout the year. What a great way to get engaged in arts and crafts, storytimes, summer reading programs, coding and robotics clubs, and so much more. Visit your local library this summer—discover, learn, play, and explore…all for FREE!
Children today are growing up surrounded by screens. It’s important for parents to meet them where they are at, and teach them how to use technology to learn responsibly, and excel in their creativity–Children are our future, but it starts today!
Sources:
- https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-portal-library-questions/average-amounts-of-screen-time/?srsltid=AfmBOoobd8Y_IQ-M9pQDVnTS5zsfOAZI_Y4rL1P6L5zDeIwzQN03tlj9
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952
- https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-portal-library-questions/screen-time-for-
teenagers/?srsltid=AfmBOoqygNfhrwi2dXowmUDIJRwNCp5eYGIVnz578RfjjwsdioBcds_N