Screen time and kids
Finding a balance between screen usage and other activities is easier said than done, especially with the pandemic and restrictions on outside activities
Normally my kids would all be outside playing for hours during the middle of the day and come in when they get hungry or tired. Now with frequent restrictions on when they're allowed to be outside, because of the pandemic and we're also in the rain season, meaning it rains a lot. Making screen time more difficult to enforce as a parent, but also more important to enforce
Why have screen limit?
If my kids could choose, they'd be 24/7 on the screen. With exception from my youngest, who still chooses to play a lot and draw
After introducing proper screen time with my kids, I see them all playing more and especially together. I also feel they're in general better mood
They also get out more energy during the day, giving the added benefit that they're more tired when bedtimes comes
When is screen needed?
Before you can start restricting screen time, you first need to sort out when it's needed
My oldest kids have only online school, because of the pandemic doesn't allow physical classes. Meaning they'll need time for both school hours and for home work
Making the first step to review when devices is needed for school and other important activities
Decide length
How long should they be allowed to use screen and should it be consistent between all kids?
Consider their age, does a 2 years old need the same length as a 12 years old?
We've decided no screen daily, between 2pm (14:00) and 5pm (17:00). Then no screen Sunday to Thursday, from 7pm (19:00)
We normally have supper around 7PM (19:00) and when that's done, it's time to toothbrush and other prep work for bedtime. It's also good the kids get to relax their eyes a bit, before going to bed
My oldest get internet back for a couple of hours at 8pm (20:00), while the rest have bedtime
Hard or soft limit?
There's many way's to enforce screen time and what's right for you, will depend on your situation
Old fashion way
The old fashion way, with trust and mutual agreement with the kids on when and when not to use screen is in many ways the best approach (in my option). If you manage to get it to workDigital route
If Old fashion way doesn't work or you don't feel you have the time or energy to follow up that it get's followed. You've the digital route, where you can hard limit screen time / internet time for the kids devices / accountsIn between route
Personally, I've gone for an in-between route. Where I've an dialog with kids when they can and can not use devices. I also have limited internet access at certain times of the day, such as when there's no doubt they should be sleepingApp restrictions
There's many ways to add restrictions using apps and approach will depend on what devices you use. We'll take a look at a few options here, but there are many moreMicrosoft Family
Microsoft allows you to set screen limits and age restrictions on kids profiles, that you've added to your family account
This works with Windows PCs, Xbox and Android (required android app)
Nintendo Switch Parental Control
Allows you to set screen time and age limit. These restrictions are per switch only and will affect all users of the consoleYou can decide if time limit only gives warning that time is up (they'll still be allowed to play beyond the limit) or disable use of the device when time is up (kids will get multiple warnings before time is up)
Google Family Link
With this app, you can set screen time for your kids devicesRouter
Many modern routers supports time limits per device on your network. Here you can set limits for when they've internet or not. As this only restrict internet access, they'll still be able to use the device for things that doesn't require internetNext step
I want to be clear that this is my opinion on the subject. But from hearing many news lately, such as Minecraft getting 19 years age limit in Korea, to comply with screen time for kids and Tencent introducing face recognition to avoid kids playing at night time in China. As you see, there are many trying to find a balance for kids and screen time
Finding a perfect solution, that will fit all I don't think will happen, as people are different and choose to live their lives differently. What I believe, is that needs to be a constant work to find a right balance for you and your kids. Then government can help promote good culture, but I feel they shouldn't start enforcing what you do in your home
Now that you've read this article, maybe gotten a few ideas. Now it's a good time to spend a few days reviewing your kids screen time and see how you feel it is. If you feel you already have a solution that work for your family, perfect. Otherwise, it's a good time to review screen time together with your family and find a balance together as a family
