Setting Healthy Boundaries with Children and Screen Time:

Screen time is an important part of our children’s learning and education. It helps keep them engaged in what they are learning by making it fun and interactive. It offers easy access to knowledge and resources that can be quickly retrieved for curiosity, and educational purposes. In addition to this screens offer a form of contained entertainment for downtime, long car rides or when parents need to get things done around the house. 

However, screentime can also cause adverse impacts because it can be difficult to put it down or turn away from it. There are endless ways to be entertained and stimulated through using screens that keep children wanting more. Many children and parents struggle with screen time. Children are reluctant to put them away/always asking to use them and parents are often left unsure how to monitor and assert healthy boundaries with them. here are a few simple guidelines to help parents assert healthy boundaries with screen time:

1.  Set up a list of pre-approved experiences on children’s screens – take time to go through the games, shows, and channels your kids want to engage with. Tune in and ask yourself, is this something I want my child interfacing with? Is this age appropriate? 

2.  Limit their ability to download new items onto their screens – without discussing and asking parental permission first. This helps children understand that there are rules that need to be followed when interfacing with screens. 

3.  Set limits with how long and when your children use screens and allow them to be a part of the conversation. Setting an agreed upon expectation beforehand will help them understand what their parameters are and can avoid significant meltdowns. For example, 1 hour a day after they come home from school and have finished their daily chores. Be consistent with what is agreed upon and avoid steering away from it. 

4.  Educate children on the importance of living a balanced lifestyle – help them understand that screen time is beneficial in many way but that it is also important to integrate other activities into their day-to-day routine that is going to promote wellness, such as exercise, helping around the house, and interacting with family members through play or conversation. 

5.  Be available and present when they are using their screens – remaining within ear distance can help you stay alert to what they are interfacing with. While is impossible to completely monitor and filter everything they are watching and playing it is important to stay tuned in to their experience while they are on their screens. Be available to answer questions or help them navigate something if they get stuck.