The Battle of Screen Time- 5 Ways to Stop the Screaming and Limit the Screen Time

The average child under 6 years spends 2 hours a day watching TV and two-thirds of children under 2 are also spending an average of 2 hours a day watching TV.Kids between the ages of 8 and 18 spend 4 hours a day watching TV and another 2 on the computer or playing video games. For children over 8, that is over 40 hours of screen time a week. Excessive amounts of time in front of the TV, Computer and Video Games is detrimental to children. Instead of spending so much time in front of the screen, children need to be active, learning about their world and interacting with others. We need to pull in the reigns and set lower limits for screen time for our kids and also enforce the limits. It is easier than you think to set reasonable and healthy screen time amounts (tv,computer and video games)and to stick to the limits. If you are currently allowing your kids to watch TV and play the computer and video games at will or more than you would like, it will take a week or two to get everyone on board for a new system but any difficulty in the transition, will be worth the longer term pay off. You need to consider and come up with a plan in order to set and enforce the amount of time your kids watch TV, and play the computer or video games in your house. 1. Set the House Rules for Screen Time- How Much TV, Computer and Video Game Time is Allowed Each Day and for the Week Consider the age of each of your children when deciding what is appropriate. Also, consider their schedule and what you would like to convey. For example, do you want school nights to be screen free except for research? Then you need to put that on your chart and rules. Or maybe you pick 1 or 2 nights your kids can have screen time if they fulfill their homework, and household obligations. 2. Set Screen-Free Day/s for your child. Kids need to relearn what to fill their time with other than the TV, computer and video games. How about a pick-up soccer or baseball game or a scavenger hunt or reading a good book? 3. Decide How Much Screen Time Your Child is Allowed for Days They are Allowed to Watch TV or Play a Game Start by deciding how much time your child will be allowed to watch TV, play a video game or spend on the computer on school days (remember to factor in after school or extra-circular activities as well). Pick an amount of time you can live with but try and keep it under 1 to 2 hours a day, which is what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)recommends for children over 2 years old. For children under the age of 2, the AAP recommends children do not watch any TV because this is the time children need to interact with their world, other children and parents as a large part of their development. You are probably wondering. How am I going to start limiting their use of the TV, or Computer or Video Games. Here are a few steps you will need to implement: 1. Post the Rules so Everyone can see them. Also call a family meeting and discuss the changes and new rules. Talk about the reasons, your expectations, and the consequences if the rules are not followed. 2. Create a Chart to Track Screen Time Make or print a chart that has the days of week and how much screen time is allowed and you keep track of it on the chart. We have provided a chart for you to use. Click here for a Printable Chart. There are several things you can do to make enforcing these rules or limits on TV time and computer or video game time and here are a few: Ways to Stick to the Rules You Set for TV, Computer and Video Game Time Do not put a TV, Computer or Video Game in Your Child's Room or Remove It. There are many reasons to keep the TV, computer and video games out of your child's room. For starters, you cannot monitor what your child does online if they are constantly online and you do not know what they are doing, who they are communicating with or what they are looking at. Second, you cannot expect to control your child's screen time if it is in their room. It makes it difficult to control what they see or watch and when they do it. If there is a TV or Computer in their room- Remove It. Set Rules or Expectations that Have to Be Met Before Any Screen Time is Given Using the Computer (other than for a school project), Playing Video Games or Watching TV are privileges and should be earned not guaranteed. Make sure you clearly explain and post what has to happen in order for your child to get to have screen time on a given day that screen time is allowed. In other words, don't get stuck in the argument that 'you said they get an hour today' make sure it is clear they earn that privilege when all expectations or responsibilities are met for that day, week, month. Here are a few example rules you make want to consider: Example Rules: Home work or projects must be completed before TV is turned on or video games played. Time must be spent being Active- Outdoors, Jump Roping, Exploring, Shooting Basketball, or something. Room must be Clean and Chores completed. Reading for 30 minutes a day for leisure. Over time the habit will stick for most kids. Good Behavior and Grades How to Stick to the Screen Time Rules Buy or Use a Timer and Set it When Your Child Begins Using the Computer, Playing a Video Game or Watching TV. When the Timer Goes Off- the Device Goes Off- No Exceptions because Consistency is King. When you make exceptions, you sending a mixed signal to your child. After 2 or 3 times of allowing them to play longer or watch another show, you are letting them know that the set amount of time is negotiable and they will whine, beg and scream to get longer if they think there is wiggle room. Stick to the plan and they will follow the rules after a week of you being consistent with the rules and time limits. Remember you are the parent and they need in to be in control and set limits. Many parents and kids have become so accustom to spending hours watching TV, playing on their computer or a video game, they forget what else they can do and all else seems 'boring'. Here are a few ideas of other things your kids can spend time doing. At first they will probably complain but over time they will enjoy the time spent doing other things. What Can Your Child Do Instead of Video Games, TV and Computer Time Encourage Your Kids to Read Make sure you have age-appropriate reading books for your kids and selections that may interest them. For example, if they enjoy mystery books, offer them a series of mystery books that are appropriate for their current reading level. Pull Out Games, Cards and Puzzles At first, your kids may complain about boring board games, cards or puzzles, but if you get down to their level and play with them or teach them how to play card games or help them complete the puzzle, after 3-7 times of doing this they will enjoy this time and the time they spend with you. Bring Out the Inventor or Scientist in Them Kids like to explore their world and make discoveries. Encourage them to make a craft, creature, machine, new game, or go find bugs, leaves, or something they enjoy. Send them outside with binoculars and a pad of paper and pen, or with a camera or a bucket and hand held shovel- tell them to pretend they are an explorer discovering treasure. The earlier you encourage your kids to do something other than watch TV, or play a computer or video game the more well adjusted they will be with finding ways to occupy their time and interacting with the world around them. Encourage Them to Make a Difference You might wonder how turning off the TV or Video Game has to do with encouraging them to Change the World, but it does. If we want our kids to grow up with compassion, a heart for helping others and an entrepreneurial spirit we need to encourage them to think of ways they can collect bottles, recycle bags, help a neighbor, or make money by having little jobs or making something they can sell for a small amount. Get them excited about something they enjoy. Or if they love Dinosaurs or Fashion, give them a project to do over the course of the month and tell them when they are done you will take them to the museum to see the dinosaur exhibit or fashion show. Find ways to tie in what they enjoy to things they can spend their time on and you can reward them with a special trip that further encourages one of their interests, and strengthens family time away from the computer, TV or other distractions. Another way to pull your kids away from the TV or a video game is to get them involved with something. Consider getting them involved in after school activities. Get Your Kids Involved in an After-School Activity Sign your child up for Soccer, Tennis, Baseball, Gymnastics, Dance, Basketball, Boy or Girl Scouts, a Nature Club or some other group or activity. This will encourage them to learn a skill, work together with others, push themselves and encourage them to be active and doing something other than spending time in front of the TV or video games. The most important thing to remember is you are in charge and it takes effort to put a system into place that works. Decide on a game plan, set the rules and guidelines, get yourself a timer and a chart, and be consistent every day. Remember our job as parents is to love our kids, protect them, and help our kids become productive adults. Kids need to learn limits and experience the world, for all that it is- open their minds and hearts to books, science, helping others, being active and having fun with family and friends. For a chart to track your child's screen time click here to set the amount of time and to keep track of her time on the computer, tv or video games and print the Screen Chart and Screen Tracking Disks. For an additional article on Screen Time click here to go to a www.kidshealth article.