You probably know the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations regarding kids and screen time (if not, scroll to the bottom), but do your kids follow them?
Now, think about this question: Do you?
“There is an unfair dichotomy between parents and kids with technology,” said Suzanne Collins, a licensed psychologist with Little Psychological Services in Florence. “Parents are restricting use with their kids while overusing it themselves.”
A few months ago, Collins said, a 14-year-old girl in her office took her mom to task for texting on her phone while driving to the appointment. In the rain.
“It’s a double standard,” she said. “If we’re expecting our kids to learn to regulate technology by teaching them to use it in a positive way, we have to show them that we can regulate it ourselves.”
If we don’t model good technology habits now, Collins said, our kids are going to sneak in use without our knowledge, or, they’re going to get angry and frustrated and, later, when they get older and you’re no longer monitoring their screen time, abuse it then.
Plus, she added, if we’re on our phones while we’re with our kids, we’re really missing out.
“Many kids say that their mom is always talking or texting on the phone while they’re in the car,” she said. “Not only is that unsafe, but kids get bothered by it, and you’re missing out on a good chance to connect with them.”
Not that you can’t be on your phone at all when you’re with your kids.
If you’re at a park with your child, for example, and you’re itching to check your Facebook feed, go ahead and do it. Just don’t spend the whole time on your phone.
“I read an article awhile ago where a woman said she was with her daughter at a museum and her daughter was happily occupied, which is when the woman would usually get on her phone,” Collins said, “but she said one time, she decided not to do it, and she noticed that her daughter looked up at her often to smile or make eye contact. She was just looking for that validation. So, a lot of it is about balance and recognizing that even when your child is occupied, he or she is still looking to you for validation.”
AAP “screen-time” recommendations
- TV and other entertainment media should be avoided for infants and children under age 2.
- Children and teens should watch TV/interact with entertainment media for no more than two hours per day.
- Parents should establish “screen-free” zones at home by making sure there aren’t TVs, computers or video games in children’s bedrooms, and by turning off the TV during dinner.
