December: From the School Nurse

HEALTH SERVICES  *  P.O. Box 2019, Appleton, WI  54911  *  920-997-1399 ext. 2106

FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE: Screen Time and Your Child

“Screen Time” refers to activities that are done in front of a digital screen, such as watching television, playing a video game or using an iPad or smart phone. Most American children spend between 5-7 hours a day on screens, with 3 of those being watching television. Experts recommend that screen time be limited to 1-2 hours per day.

Too much screen time has been linked to many negative health outcomes, including:

●     Difficulty sleeping

●     Poor attention span, anxiety and depression

●     Behavioral problems and aggression

●     Obesity and cardiovascular problems

The widespread prevalence of screens and our increasingly digital culture makes it difficult for parents to control the amount of screen time their children have. Here are a few tips for reducing screen time: 

●     Limit your own screen time. Children learn by observation. Model this behavior yourself!

●     Prioritize homework, chores, (non-digital) socialization and free play.

●     Set limited viewing times.

●     Remove TV’s and other devices from bedrooms.

●     Turn off screens during dinner, bedtime and homework.

●     Don’t leave the TV on in the background.

●     Give consequences for violating rules.

Teaching Appropriate Behavior and Online Literacy

Eliminating all digital media may not be possible, but you can talk with your child about appropriate online behavior. Explain what's allowed and what's not, such as cyberbullying, sending/receiving inappropriate photos and sharing personal information online. Teach your child not to send or share anything online that he or she would not want everyone to see. Be sure that you are monitoring everything your child is doing online. Teach your child that not everything they see on the internet is accurate. Show them how to tell which websites are credible and while are not.

Managing screen time will be a constant challenge, but setting limits while children are young can help them learn a healthy balance as they grow.