Apps, download, buffering, loading – these are just some of the words that hold new meaning to children. Yet, with adults as digital migrants and their kids as the digital citizens, bonding time and routines face new challenges when tots won’t let go of their tablets or computers – and even demand to have their own gadgets.
For busy parents, it’s tempting to hand over the tablet and let children explore app after app, or watch videos as long as they want, just so they can sit still while adults finish their tasks.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
However, being too wired can have drawbacks, both for children and adults. Consider the content and unspoken messages of what kids watch. Reflect on the effect of fast-paced scenes on the young brain. If your child gets frustrated playing a video game, will he be able to handle real life frustrations well when they aren’t as easily dealt with as shutting off the screen?
Martin Large, author of “Set Free Childhood,” points out some disadvantages for children exposed to excessive screen time such as underdevelopment, blunted senses, limited creativity and imagination, disorganized brains, attention problems, anti-social behavior, and undermining of play. Some indicators of screen dependency for children are watching one program hour after hour, being unable to reduce screen time, sacrificing important social activities due to viewing, and difficulty in switching off.
WHEN KIDS GET BORED
Queena-Lee-Chua, Ph. D, a math and psychology professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, says, “When children get used to speed, everything in life including school and homework becomes boring!”
Dr. Lee-Chua and a team of researchers, this author included, recently surveyed high school students from two of Manila’s premiere schools to delve into the effect of multimedia and technology. Considering that this generation of high schoolers grew up with cellphones and portable gadgets, a significant number of them said they easily “get bored” and don’t read as much as expected. The results imply concern for academic and learning tasks. The professor mentions that while the students of today appear smart, informed, and articulate, they tend to have difficulty staying on tasks like reading and lack patience in solving complex math problems, compared to the previous generation.
The common concern encountered by these children are attention and focus problems, an inability to handle emotions, and difficulty dealing with peers. When dealing with kids referred for counselling, I consider the amount and the kind of electronic media the child engages in, as well as other activities that he’s exposed to at home. Most often, the source of dilemma pointed to extensive screen time, versus decreased time for free play and reading. The lack of parental regulation regarding tech time leads to kids playing with gadgets as long as they wish.
DETOXING THE MIND AND BODY
Many parents lament that it’s hard to not let kids have digital media. Detoxing the kids means checking our own gadget patterns, too. It’s a tough call, but adults should also regulate their own use. If our child is too wired or at risk of being screen-addicted, it’s our role to help him use it in moderation or wean it out of his system.
In any detox protocol, a goal is set and aligned for its purpose for the body. In this case, parents need to consider the value and purpose of his child’s electronic use versus his developmental and health aspects: physical, mental, emotional, and social.
“Young children learn best from—and need—interaction with humans, not screens.” – American Academy of Pediatrics.”
THE AAP STATEMENTS
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on use of media for kids below the age of 2 considers the link between screen time and developmental problems. The organization believes there are more potential negative effects than positive effects of media exposure for toddlers.
Their recommendation for children under age 2, to be “screen-free” as much as possible. Proactive parents must “have a strategy for managing electronic media if they choose to engage their children with it.”
For children ages 2 and above, screen time should be limited to a maximum of two hours per day. Younger children may engage in screen time under supervision or while co-learning with adults. The limit holds true for older kids, and maybe even teens.
Think of it this way. For every hour a child spends on screen time, he spends less time interacting with family, less time learning a skill or engaging in creative play. The AAP also advises parents of children or teenagers, and those at risk and are showing aggressive behavior, having academic difficulties, or are overweight, to consider the following:
- Carefully select programs to view
- Co-viewing and discussing content with children and adolescents
- Teaching critical viewing skills
- Limit and focus time spent on media
- Avoid exposing young children and preteens to PG-13 and R-rated movies
- Being good media role models as children often develop their media habits based on their parents’ media behavior
- Emphasizing alternative activities
- Creating an “electronic media-free” environment in children’s rooms
- Avoiding use of media as an electronic babysitter
HUMAN INTERACTION
Margarita Acosta, Ph.D. department head of communications for Miriam College, believes that despite the reality that technology is here to stay, families must observe “pure and unadulterated family time where there are no gadgets allowed.” She ticks off examples: “Feeling the world outside during picnics, taking walks in the park, engaging with board games, sports, exercise, exploring history through walking tours, and a lot more.”
As for Dr. Lee-Chua, the only way for children to develop to their fullest is to “let them experience real-life difficulties, stay on tasks no matter how hard, and expose them to the real world’s messiness. Kids can only deal with real-life situations if they are not wired!”
As for me, my kids know that gadgets are privileges and there’s a whole world waiting beyond the virtual life. We stick by the two-hour a day rule of all gadgets combined. While they get a dose of age-appropriate apps and videos, we’re trying our best to raise kids in important areas like social skills, critical and creative thinking, and developing love for learning.
Let’s be aware of the greater value and implication of electronic media in our lives. When parents become aware of their own media habits and values, then they can help their children manage their electronic media use and realize that gadgets and technology are bonuses in life—but not life itself!
This article first appeared in Moms Today, July to August 2013, but has been updated.