Back-To-School Memo: Limit Screen Time

by Caroline Simms

Computers, TVs and cell phones are everywhere. The youngest and most vulnerable members of society are bombarded with images beyond the control of parents’ watchful eyes. Too much exposure to electronic media at an early age can be harmful to children and may affect learning and social development by school age. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no child under age 2 should be exposed to TV and computers at all, and those ages 2 and over, not more than one or two hours of screen time daily.

Screen Time Facts and Figures

According to the American Psychological Association, 25 percent of children watch from four to 11 hours of TV every day. The average American child looks at TV four hours daily or a total of 28 hours each week. One third of children under age 6 have a TV in their bedroom. Doctors believe that because of the impact of so much electronic media, 40 percent of elementary-age children do not get enough sleep. Another 50 percent of adolescents report problems falling or staying asleep, while 13 percent regularly experience insomnia.

In addition, a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 22 percent of children instant message friends while their parents are asleep, 31 percent between the ages of 8 to 18 have a computer in their bedroom, and 20 percent have unlimited Internet access. One of the most alarming statistics is that two-thirds of children age 6 and under are growing up in an environment where the TV is on more than 50 percent of their waking hours.

What do all these statistics mean? Dr. Douglas Fleck, a pediatrician who practices with Senders & Associates MDs in Cleveland Heights, says, “One in five kids these days has a Game Boy. You should delay the age at which your child plays video games until pre-adolescence or adolescence. There should be no TV in the bedroom. Kids become sleep-deprived and develop poor sleep habits. Schoolwork suffers. I like video games, but I keep my 3-year-old son away from them.”

Too much exposure to violence on TV, according to the American Psychological Association, can make children less sympathetic to the pain and suffering of people around them, more anxious about their world, and more aggressive in general. Dr. Bonnie White, a pediatrician who practices in Euclid, notices that “there is an increase in anger among young people. They imitate what they see on TV – a jab in the ribs or a kick behind the knees.” Prolonged TV viewing can also lead to childhood obesity and poor sleep patterns.

Overuse of computers also causes repetitive stress injuries, eyestrain, social isolation and, in extreme cases, emotional, social and intellectual damage. Dr. White notes, “TV watchers and computer game users seem to be less savvy about social skills. They would rather interact with a computer screen than a person.”

Lack of sleep from excessive media exposure may lead to learning problems. Those children who have a TV and computer in their bedrooms may perform poorly in school. Dr. Stephen Grcevich, a psychiatrist at the Family Center by the Falls in Chagrin Falls, notes, “Computers aren’t bad in and of themselves. They become problematic when circumstances exist in a home that allows the child to become consumed by the computer. The amount of time isn’t as important as your child’s day-to-day functioning.”

Are your children’s grades suffering? Are they cutting out the amount of time they spend with friends? Have they stopped participating in sports and other outside activities? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, parents need to examine media usage. If your children are spending too much time in front of the TV or computer, don’t fret. You can take control with some of the following steps:

1.      Limit screen time to no more than one to two hours daily.

2.      Know ratings and content of video games.

3.      Encourage your children to play outside or to pursue sports.

4.      Keep TVs and computers out of the bedroom.

5.      Watch TV with your children.

6.      Turn the TV off when it’s not in use.

7.      Keep the TV off at meals.

8.      Be a positive role model and limit your own TV/computer use.

9.      Establishing rules from the earliest years is necessary in order to limit screen time. Teens are less likely to listen to the word “no.”

“In moderation,” says Dr. White, “the computer is a wonderful tool. Game Boys and PlayStations increase hand/eye coordination. But, if usage is not limited, children become too used to the screen and lack the necessary social interaction to become healthy adults. The computer is not bad if parents monitor its use, and I’m amazed at how much kids know today.”

From the earliest years parents should spend time building strong relationships with their children, set limits on screen time and closely monitor all electronic media. If parents are not vigilant, too much screen time can lead to problems down the road in both academics and social relationships.

Caroline Simms has two children and lives in Northeast Ohio.