Most parents have a screen time policy, but very few are able to successfully implement it. Policies are usually created on quiet afternoons and quickly abandoned during the chaos of family dinners. Many screen time policies fail because they are created with idealistic, or unrealistic, circumstances in mind. Realistic screen time policies are created to account for the worst situations that are likely to occur.
Understanding the Guidelines
It is also helpful to know what the official guidelines are. The British guidelines state that parents should consider if screen time negatively impacts other activities, like sleep and physical activities, and should avoid screens before bed. The American guidelines say that kids under two should have no screen time, and that screens should be used while parentally supervised by and for the benefit of kids over two. There are no serious advocates for complete screen time bans, also known as “ screen time zero”, and there are no serious advocates for completely unrestricted screen time.
The most serious cases of screen time displacement are loss of sleep. Other cases of screen time displacement should also be taken into account.
Rule One: Screens don’t belong in bedrooms.
This rule is largely focused on why screens don’t belong in bedrooms. There is a ton of evidence showing that having a screen in the child’s room results in a later bed time, fewer overall hours of sleep, poor quality sleep, and larger emotional and behavioral problems. A big reason for this is because the parent has no control over what is shown to the child.
This rule also offers some advice. The parent is encouraged to set up the child’s bedroom as the author of the article has. This means the child also has a comfortable bed that is clearly his/her own. As the author states, children as young as five or six need to be able to control what kind of environment they are surrounding themselves with, and what kind of standards they are holding themselves to. The children’s mattresses from Simba are designed for exactly the age at which the bedroom needs to become somewhere a child wants to be without a screen in it.
Rule Two: Screens Have a Time, and it’s Before Bed
The hour before bed deserves the most protection because screens delay the body’s natural signals to slow down and prepare to sleep. The most practical and easiest rule for families to implement is an electronics time limit one hour before bed. This rule works best if it’s implemented at the same time every day and is followed by pleasant activities, like taking a bath or playing a game.
Of course, there is additional flexibility before the time limit is enforced.
Rule Three: The Rule is the Same Each Day
The biggest reason for failing to effectively implement a technical rule is inconsistency. A rule that only applies on certain days of the week or that is dependent on a caregiver’s personal choice is ripe for challenge by the child.
A good example for children is to always set a consistent example for them. Children are very good at noticing when a caregiver breaks a rule and instantly becomes a model for poor behavior.
Rule Four: Content Beats Minutes
One slow-paced children’s show can’t be compared to one fast-paced kids’ show. The fast-paced shows are designed with additional features to capture and keep a child’s attention. It can be very difficult for a child to stop watching these shows because they are designed to not be stopped. Deciding which show to watch gives a child less opportunity to engage with an autoplay feature.
In order to modify a child’s behavior, the advice encourages parents to engage with their child and use their screen time as an opportunity to program content that children can watch on their own.
Rule Five: Have A Plan For The Worst Hour
It is imperative that parents create a plan for this time window because kids usually have the most trouble adhering to the rules during this time. Parents should see this time as an opportunity to manage the situation and plan out what is most important for the family instead of focusing on what is least important. Having a screen available for children to watch during this time can help reduce stress in the family and allow children to engage with the family during other activities that require family members to be together.
What Happens When It Goes Wrong
Consistency is crucial, but rules can sometimes become unexpectedly flexible. Illness, travel, and visits to grandparents are great example of rule flexibility. Children expect rules to stay flexible once they’ve experienced flexibility. Rules can easily return to normal, but expect some protesting in the process. The best way to combat protesting is to remain consistent.
The Important Stuff
Clearly defined, restricted screens have the best opportunity to survive. Rules about screens in the bedroom and rules about screens one hour before bedtime are easy to implement. Consistency is key. The same rules should apply to the members of the household. The most important thing is to focus on the content that is consumed. It’s also critical to devise a plan for the time when rules are most challenged. Rules are in place to protect the most valuable time of the day, which is down time.
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