Limiting the amount of passive screen time!

Now more than ever, children are spending so much time on phones/tablets/television/etc. While it is understandable that parents may be busy and need to keep their child occupied, it is important to be aware of the negative effects of screen time. Too much exposure can lead to: language delay, smaller vocabulary, inactivity, obesity, poor sleep, and aggression. Children become addicted to their screens, which leads to tantrums when screens are withheld or taken away. It does not matter if the content they are watching/engaging with is considered “educational”. Research shows that having the screen on at all can have negative effects. Screen time substitutes free play time, which can be detrimental.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to 1-2 hours per day for children over 2 years old and NO screen time at all for children 18 months and younger. Too early exposure to screen time can lead to poor habits and later difficulties at school/with peers. Some alternatives to screen time include: snacks, books, toys they don’t see often, outside time, music, helping around the house, etc.). I do understand that some parents/caregivers work full time and it may be difficult, but if you MUST use the screen, be sure to make it “active” screen time. What does that mean? Be present with your child and ask them questions about what is going on in the tv show/video. Make comments about the characters/familiar objects/people. We want to avoid “passive” screen time where the child is just sitting in front of the screen.

*NOTE: Children who use AAC devices should still continue to do so in an interactive way and to communicate.

Source: Help Families Find a Screen Time Balance. ASHA. (2018). Retrieved 10 June 2020, from https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/help-families-find-a-screen-time-balance/full/.