Too Much Screen Time?

If you're like me you really want to limit the amount of time your kids spend on devices or in front of the TV. I find it hard to say no to my kids but also think about how much screen time is too much. If you are looking for ways to reduce screen time here are some tips that helped me.

Limit Screen Time to a Few Hours Per Day. The AAP recommends limiting older children's screen time to no more than one or two hours a day. That includes TV, computer, and mobile device use.

Your child should also have an hour or more each day for physical activity.

-Make Sure They Have a Plan: When my kids are watching TV or using other devices, I make sure that they know what they will do next. For example, if they want to watch a show after dinner, then they need to set the table and get ready beforehand. If they want to play on their tablets while we drive somewhere, then they need to finish homework first.

-Monitor Their Use: It’s important to set limits on how much time your child spends with entertainment screens. Set a timer and make sure they know how much time is left so they don’t get too distracted. It seems like there are more and more apps for kids popping up on my smartphone screen every day. We have apps for cartoons, our local sports team, games, music, and seemingly limitless entertainment options. But let me tell you about my favorite app for screen-time management: Screen Time. When my daughter was born, I added this to my phone so I’d always know how much time she was using. It doesn’t stop her from using a different device – but it does manage the length of time she’s actually playing a game or watching a video. This is particularly useful when your kid wants to spend forever playing Fortnite or binge-watching YouTube videos!