Viva Vitality: Screen time and young children

By Amanda Poll on July 23, 2021.

We live in a digital age and children are growing up in front of screens. Children under five years old are exposed to more screens than ever before, including televisions, computers, gaming consoles, smartphones and tablets.

What is the right amount of screen time for my child?

Young children learn best from face-to-face interactions with caring adults. It’s best to keep their screen time to a minimum:

• For children under two years old, screen time is not recommended.

• For children two to five years old, limit routine or regular screen time to less than one hour per day.

Why should I limit my child’s screen time?

Often, screen time is a lost opportunity for your child to learn in real time: from interacting, playing outdoors, creating or enjoying social ‘down time’ with family. Too much screen time also increases your child’s risk of becoming:

• Overweight

• Sleep-deprived

• Less school-ready

• Inattentive, aggressive, and less able to self-soothe.

Here are some tips for managing screen time at home:

• Be a good role model with your own screen use – on all devices.

• Turn off devices for mealtimes, reading with your child or doing things together as a family.

• Turn off screens when no one is using them, especially background TV.

• Avoid using screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime and keep all screens out of your child’s bedroom. They interfere with sleep.

• Choose healthy activities, like reading, outdoor play and crafts over screen time.

Not all screen time is created equal; whenever possible, make screen time an activity you and your child do together. Here are some helpful tips:

• Choose educational, age-appropriate, and interactive programs and apps. Educational apps have a clear learning goal and encourage participation.

• Try out apps before your child uses them.

• Make sure your child watches programs you’re familiar with.

• Avoid commercial and adult or ‘entertainment’ programming.

• Use a media rating system to guide your viewing choices.

Won’t my child fall behind if they aren’t exposed to digital media early on?

There is no evidence to support introducing technology at an early age to improve your child’s development. Young children always learn best from face-to-face interactions with caring adults.

Given the choice, young children almost always choose talking, playing or being read to over screen time.

For more information on the effects of screen-time and digital technology, as well has how caregivers can manage it for children, please visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca and CaringForKids.cps.ca.

Amanda Poll is a Health Promotion Facilitator with AHS Population Health Promotion, Young Family Wellness. She can be reached via e-mail: Amanda.poll@ahs.ca

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