News Taffy

Like it or not, school is just around the corner and many parents will soon be wondering how to help their children perform better in school. A simple solution may be to turn off the TV, put away the tablets and cell phones and allow kids to unplug for awhile.

Many parents are unaware of how much time their children are actually spending in front of computers, cell phones, video games and television each day and have no rules regarding such devices. Often these devices are used to entertain children while parents are busy, or the parents see them as the new norm. However, several studies point to a host of problems associated with over use of electronic devices and pediatricians now advise parents to strictly regulate their use. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says kids age 8 to 10 have been found to spend nearly 8 hours a day with various media while some teens log in as many as 11 hours a day!

There are many problems associated with over use of electronic devices. Children who spend more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen often have poor grades, develop sleep problems and have poor social skills. The Learning Habit Study published last year found a direct correlation between “screen time” and learning. Researcher Rebecca Jackson says the “impact on grades was so detrimental that we can predict the GPA of a child in grades K-12 based on how much media consumption they have on a daily basis”. Because of the sedentary lifestyle these devices require, obesity is also a predictable outcome. Children who watch too much TV or play violent video games are more likely to be aggressive or participate in cyberbullying. Too much screen time has been linked with depression and anxiety as well.

If that doesn’t seem scary to you as a parent, consider that Chinese doctors consider “web addiction” to be a diagnosable clinical disorder and have established rehabilitation centers to treat children who otherwise would play video games for hours, skipping meals, not sleeping or even using the bathroom. China is the first country to designate this as a disorder and sees web addiction as a national health threat. Award winning Israeli filmmakers Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia have produced a remarkable documentary entitled “Web Junkie” which follows three teenagers through one of these rehab programs in Beijing. You can watch it online on PBS.org. Before you write off web addiction as a crazy Asian affliction, keep in mind that children in the U.S. also report similar experiences as Chinese teens.

It’s never too late to take back control and establish some rules for your children concerning screen time. First you must set a good example yourself by monitoring your own use. Make sure you spend time engaging with your children, spouse and friends each day without constantly checking your cell phone. Make all meals a screen free time and prohibit screens in the bedroom, whether television, computer or cell phone. Have a cell phone charging station where the whole family recharges their phone each night and make sure it is away from the bedrooms. Keep video devices out of the car. At some point, children need to learn to entertain or soothe themselves without relying on electronic devices.

For children under the age of 2, pediatricians recommend no screen time at all. Educational videos have been shown to have little positive impact on babies and toddlers under two. They need human interaction to develop normal emotional, social and language skills. For children over 2, including teens, they recommend no more than two hours a day for texting, television watching or computer use in total as their brains are continuing to develop. Instead, make sure your children get plenty of exercise and time outdoors each day. Encourage activities in which they interact with other children such as music, dance or sports. Make sure they spend an appropriate amount of time on school work and take time to read with your children. Last, teach your children that too much of a good thing often can have a detrimental effect.