Electronic media has negative effects on daily life, including a decline in hobbies and an increase in obesity-related health problems. Pediatricians recommend limiting children’s screen time to two hours a day, but a study found that children spend 45 hours a week on electronic media. Parents should keep electronic media in central areas of the home, provide other recreational activities, and set a good example. Making media consumption a familiar activity can reduce harmful effects, especially for teenagers.
Between email, instant messaging, video games and television, electronic media has infiltrated almost every aspect of our daily lives. However, the impact of all this time in front of a screen is not entirely positive. While a little media exposure can be helpful and informative, too much screen time detracts from other activities. It should come as no surprise that hobbies like reading for pleasure, playing board games and doing community volunteering have been on a steady decline in recent years. Additionally, many experts believe that the amount of time a person spends on a computer in a typical day is a significant risk factor for obesity-related health problems.
Screen time becomes an especially important issue when it comes to children’s media use. Pediatricians and child development experts are now recommending limiting children’s screen time to no more than two hours a day. This includes television, video games, and computer use not related to school. Parents of children under the age of two are generally encouraged not to allow screen time at all.
Unfortunately, this recommendation appears not to be followed in most families. A recent study found that children between the ages of eight and 18 spend nearly 45 hours a week watching television, playing video games and surfing the web. That’s more time than they spend doing homework, talking with parents, exercising or reading for pleasure. To further compound the problem, much of the electronic media that make up children’s screen time is filled with violent and/or sexually inappropriate content. Even children are not immune to the effects of media exposure; the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61 percent of children one year old and younger watch screen media on a typical day.
What can busy parents do to address the problem of too much screen time for kids? The most common recommendation is to not allow televisions and computers in your child’s bedroom. Keeping electronic media in central areas of the home makes it easier to set limits on appropriate use. Avoid using television, video games, and computer time as rewards for good behavior. Provide plenty of other recreational activities for your child and try to set a good example for your children regarding your use of media.
Making media consumption a familiar activity is another way to reduce the potentially harmful effects of screen time. This is especially important for teenagers, since you’ll want to take every available opportunity to discuss your family’s expectations regarding drugs, alcohol, and sexual relationships.
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