Limiting screen time for kids is a highly debated, complex topic, but most experts and parents agree that setting boundaries for digital media is necessary. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, 71% of parents surveyed admitted to feeling concerned about how much time their kids aged 12 and under are spending. So, how do parents decide how much screen time is too much for kids?
The pandemic brought a reliance on digital devices for schooling, work and entertainment. Parents even bought cell phones for kids to keep them connected to their peers. Although most people’s daily activities have returned to near-normal, screen time use remains elevated in most households. Setting limits for kids should factor in their ages, maturity levels and online activities to balance necessary and recreational screen use.
What Constitutes Screen Time?
Screen time is a catch-all term that includes watching television, playing video games and using a computer or tablet. Parents should remember that even homework and educational programs count in that total if these activities require the use of digital devices and an internet connection is not necessary; using televisions, gaming consoles and ebooks adds to screen time, too.
Parental Concerns About Screen Time
A majority of parents Pew surveyed admitted to speaking with doctors or medical professionals about screen time for kids. Monitors and digital devices are everywhere, so managing a child’s habits can be challenging and balancing schoolwork and educational needs against entertainment can complicate matters.
Is Screen Time Bad for Kids?
Digital media and apps with educational value can be beneficial for children, but too much screen time can leave them feeling overstimulated and anxious. When digital devices interfere with children’s desire to enjoy healthy, imaginative play or outdoor time, parents might need to consider limits for their kids.
How Much Screen Time for Kids Is Appropriate?
The Mayo Clinic suggests not allowing any screen time for children younger than 18 months and allowing just one hour a day of high-quality programming for kids ages 2 to 5. Once children reach school age, however, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Nearly a quarter of parents surveyed by Pew Research said they wonder about restricting children’s time on tablets and gaming consoles and even though a majority of them do restrict kids’ digital media in some way, there is still no magical formula for how much is too much.
Age-Specific Trends for Technology Users
Children’s use of digital devices increased during COVID-19 when schooling was remote and everyone embraced technology for telecommuting, entertainment and social interaction, and this reliance is not going away anytime soon. The internet has improved many lives, but its ubiquity and constant screen time do pose challenges for parents deciding what ages should be using digital devices and how much time is excessive.
Pew Research Center offered some staggering statistics about screen use:
- 80% of parents interviewed said their children ages 5 to 11 use or interacts with a tablet computer.
- More than half of parents surveyed said their kids ages 5 to 11 use smartphones.
- 48% of children under the age of 5 use tablets and 55% interact with smartphones.
- One-third of participants said their child ages 11 or younger interacts with a voice-activated assistant.
As the age of cell phone and tablet users continues to drop, caregivers’ attention to screen time and online activities must increase.
Strategies for Managing Screen Time
Managing and monitoring adolescents’ technology use can help parents strike a balance between a healthy level of digital media and too much screen time for kids. Irritability and anxiousness are two signs of excessive screen time and parents might notice mood changes when screen time and social media use spike. Parents can set a good example for children by limiting their own screen time. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “almost constantly” online, a habit kids might mimic on their own digital devices.
Some tactics parents might use to manage screen time for kids include:
- Upgrading to Premium Wi-Fi with parental controls to set limits by device or user profile
- Scheduling unplugged, unstructured play time
- Designating tech-free hours, such as during mealtimes or before bedtimes
- Putting away hand-held devices and engaging kids in other ways
- Selecting cell phones for kids that offer management features and remote monitoring
- Setting realistic screen time rules that account for children’s ages and educational needs
- Limiting screen time for kids from an early age to build healthy habits
- Teaching kids about online safety and responsible internet use
Children’s Cell Phone Use
Two-thirds of parents Pew Research surveyed said their jobs as caregivers are harder now than they were 20 years ago and most cited cell phones and social media as the reasons. Nearly three-quarters of the participants believed the widespread use of smartphones might result in more harm than benefits, but deciding whether kids are ready for cell phones is subjective for every parent.
Should Kids Have Cell Phones?
There are plenty of reasons a kid should have a cell phone, including teaching responsibility, keeping in touch, using educational applications and making social connections, but gauging individual readiness is essential. Most experts suggest waiting until children are teens before providing them with wireless phones to ensure their social awareness and maturity are adequate.
Providing a wireless phone for kids to use is not anything new for most families. Six in 10 kids started engaging with smartphones before the age of 5, and, according to Common Sense Media, half of all children in the United States will own a smartphone by the age of 11. Many great smartphone options for teens allow for parental oversight to help kids stay safe online.
Social Media Use Recommendations for Children
Accessing social media is a top reason kids want smartphones and this can be a big concern for parents. Social sites can provide benefits, such as staying connected to friends and family, getting involved with organizations, learning about current events and finding a support network, but they can also contribute to self-esteem issues and behavioral problems. It is estimated that teens spend a minimum of four hours daily on social media, time that might be better spent doing homework, exercising, sleeping or reading.
Parenting is challenging enough without worrying about tracking screen time limits for kids and staying up to date on social media use by older children. With an upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi with enhanced parental controls, adults can manage the household’s online activities and screen time from anywhere. FTC.net offers fast internet packages with modern features every home needs.
