Screen Time August 7, 2025 General Limiting Screen Time With today's digital world, screens are everywhere! TVs, phones, tablets, and computers have become integral to our everyday lives. Screens have made things more accessible to everyone. Now we can connect with people from a distance, easily find resources and recipes for our families, and share a laugh on social media. While we enjoy the privileges of technology there might also be negative setbacks. Why is screen time important? High amounts of screen time can negatively impact a child's social skills, how they think, and handle challenges. High screen times are commonly associated with increased sedentary behaviors, leading to increased weight gain. It is also associated with poor sleep, eye strain, headaches, anxiety, depression, impaired social skills, behavioral problems, and difficulties with focus and attention. Limiting screen time can help us avoid these concerns from developing or progressing in the future. What screen time recommendations should my children follow? Infants (0-2 years old): It is recommended that children under 2 have no screen time. This includes avoiding background media like having the TV on during meals. Toddlers (2-5 years old): It is recommended for children within this age range to have 1 hour or less of supervised screen time. Children (5-12 years old): It’s recommended to limit recreational screen time to 2 hours or less per day. What are some strategies I can use to limit my child's screen time? Set clear limits! It’s important to set daily or weekly screen time limits with your child to help build healthy habits. Here are some ideas to help set limits: Use timers or alarms to remind your child when screen time is up. Be a role model and follow the same rules for your own screen time. Talk about what they enjoy watching or playing. Create electronic free zones! Establishing areas in your home where electronic devices are not allowed helps encourage family connection, healthy habits, and better focus. No phones, tablets, or TVs at the dinner table. No TV or screens while eating snacks or meals. Wind-down time before bed. Make it a rule that everyone in the house puts away phones, tablets, and turns off the TV at least one hour before bedtime. Encourage alternative activities! One of the best ways to reduce screen time is by offering your child other fun and engaging activities including: Playing outside ● Reading books together Working on crafts or puzzles Helping in the kitchen Listening to music and having a dance party Why this matters: These types of activities don’t just keep children busy, they support healthy development, reduce reliance on screens, and strengthen family bonds. By offering fun, engaging alternatives, you help your child build lifelong skills and interests! Comments are closed.