Evidence-Based Parenting Behaviors: Managing Screentime

Evidence-Based Parenting Behaviors: What Works for Raising Happy, Healthy Kids

By Gretchen Hunter, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Why Evidence-Based Parenting Matters

As a parent, you’re bombarded with advice from every direction—books, blogs, social media, even well-meaning family members. But what does the research actually say works when it comes to raising happy, well-adjusted kids?

Screen Time Management: Promoting Healthy Digital Habits

While digital devices offer educational benefits, overuse can lead to problems like disrupted sleep, behavioral issues, and decreased physical activity. Finding a healthy balance is key. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, too much screen time is linked to developmental delays and behavioral problems. Limiting screen time has been shown to improve sleep quality and social interactions.

Managing screen time and promoting healthy digital habits is a crucial aspect of parenting in today’s technology-driven world. Here are practical tips for parents to help children develop a healthy relationship with screens:

  1. Set Clear and Consistent Screen Time Limits
  • Establish Daily Limits: Set specific time limits for recreational screen use, such as 1-2 hours per day for older children, and less for younger children, based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Create a Screen Time Schedule: Designate specific times for screen use, such as after school or during certain hours in the evening. Be consistent to help children understand the boundaries.
  • Use Screen Time Monitoring Tools: Utilize built-in tools on devices (like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing) to track and limit usage, helping to enforce the agreed-upon screen time.
  1. Encourage Screen-Free Zones and Times
  • Screen-Free Zones: Designate certain areas of the home, such as the dining room and bedrooms, as screen-free zones. This helps promote family interaction and better sleep hygiene.
  • No Screens During Meals: Encourage conversations during meal times by keeping screens off the table. This fosters mindfulness and connection with family.
  • Create a “Tech Curfew”: Set a time (e.g., 1 hour before bedtime) when all screens are put away to encourage winding down and improving sleep quality.
  1. Model Healthy Digital Habits
  • Be a Role Model: Practice healthy screen habits yourself. If children see you balancing screen time with other activities (reading, playing outside, engaging in family time), they are more likely to follow suit.
  • Avoid Constant Checking: Try not to check your phone or other devices constantly, especially during family time or conversations. This models mindfulness and attention.
  1. Promote Active Screen Use Over Passive Use
  • Interactive Content: Encourage content that engages children’s creativity and critical thinking, such as educational apps, games, or YouTube channels that promote learning.
  • Limit Passive Consumption: While entertainment is fine, encourage more active screen time, like creating videos, coding games, or digital art, rather than just watching TV or scrolling through social media.
  1. Prioritize Quality Content
  • Curate Content: Take time to review apps, websites, and games that your child accesses, ensuring they align with your values and are age-appropriate.
  • Use Parental Controls: Set up parental controls on devices and apps to filter out inappropriate content. Services like Netflix, YouTube, and games often allow you to set restrictions based on age.
  • Watch Together: Consider watching shows, movies, or playing games together as a family. This offers an opportunity to discuss content, values, and any concerns, and it promotes bonding.
  1. Encourage Screen-Free Activities
  • Outdoor Play: Encourage physical activity and outdoor time by making it a daily part of the routine. Whether it’s going for a walk, bike ride, or playing a sport, outdoor play helps children stay active and balanced.
  • Board Games and Family Activities: Make time for screen-free family activities like board games, puzzles, or arts and crafts, which promote social skills and family bonding.
  • Reading and Hobbies: Encourage reading or engaging in other hobbies like drawing, cooking, or building things. Setting up a designated reading area or hobby station can foster more interest in non-screen activities.
  1. Create Technology-Free Family Time
  • Family Screen Time Breaks: Designate certain days or times for “tech-free” family outings, dinners, or activities, allowing everyone to connect without distractions.
  • Mindful Use of Devices: Have discussions about technology usage during family time. For example, once a week, talk about the positive or negative impact of screen time and create solutions together.
  1. Teach Responsible Digital Citizenship
  • Discuss Online Safety: Teach children about online privacy, cyberbullying, and the importance of keeping personal information secure. Ensure they understand the risks associated with inappropriate content or interactions.
  • Encourage Positive Social Media Use: If your child uses social media, emphasize the importance of respectful communication, managing online relationships, and balancing online presence with offline activities.
  • Teach Digital Balance: Help your child understand when to take a break, when to switch activities, and when to put down their device to avoid overstimulation or fatigue.
  1. Encourage Healthy Sleep Hygiene
  • Screen-Free Bedtime Routine: Remove all screens from the bedroom at least 30-60 minutes before bedtime. This helps promote a better sleep routine, as blue light from screens can interfere with the production of melatonin.
  • Set a Bedtime Curfew for Devices: Implement a device curfew by charging phones or tablets outside of the bedroom to help your child unwind without the temptation of late-night scrolling.
  1. Use Technology to Your Advantage
  • Educational Apps and Resources: Use apps that promote learning, creativity, or physical activity. Websites like Khan Academy, Duolingo, and BrainPOP offer educational resources, while exercise apps or YouTube channels like GoNoodle promote movement.
  • Set Tech Time Goals: Encourage your child to set specific goals for their screen time, such as learning a new skill through an app or completing an educational video series, giving them purpose in their digital habits.
  1. Open Communication and Reflection
  • Have Open Conversations: Regularly check in with your child about how they feel about their screen time. Are they feeling overwhelmed, tired, or stressed? Are they noticing any impact on their mood or behavior?
  • Discuss Screen Time Impact: Help your child reflect on how their screen time affects them—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Encourage them to recognize signs of overstimulation and set their own limits.
  • Empower Your Child: Let your child have a voice in setting their own screen time limits. This can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over their digital habits.
  1. Be Flexible and Adapt
  • Adjust Limits When Needed: Life changes, and sometimes screen time will need to be adjusted for reasons like school projects or family events. Be flexible with the rules, but always ensure there is a balance between screen time and other activities.
  • Monitor Well-Being: If your child is showing signs of unhealthy screen habits (e.g., irritability, sleep disruption, decreased physical activity), consider adjusting the amount of time spent on devices.

Here are several professional resources for parents focused on Screen Time Management and promoting healthy digital habits:

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • AAP Screen Time Guidelines: The AAP provides research-backed guidelines on the amount of screen time that’s appropriate for children at different ages, along with tips for managing screen use. Their recommendations help parents navigate screen time and digital media in a balanced way.
    • Website: AAP Screen Time Guidelines
  1. Common Sense Media
  • Parenting Resources: Common Sense Media offers reviews of apps, games, movies, and other media, along with expert advice on how to manage screen time, what types of content are appropriate, and how to create a balanced media plan for your family.
  • Screen Time Management Tips: The site provides a range of articles, tools, and resources, including specific tips for setting screen time limits, helping kids balance digital media use, and teaching them to be responsible digital citizens.
  1. The Center for Humane Technology
  • Resources on Digital Well-being: This nonprofit organization provides research, tools, and information aimed at improving digital well-being and reducing the harmful effects of technology on children. It includes a guide for parents on how to manage screen time and promote healthier digital habits.
  1. The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
  • Online Safety Resources: FOSI focuses on helping families manage online safety, privacy, and screen time. They offer resources for parents on setting limits for technology use, understanding the impact of excessive screen time, and promoting healthy online habits.
  1. Tech-Savvy Parenting: Helping Your Kids Navigate the Digital World
  • Book by Lisa A. Guernsey: This book offers a research-based approach to helping parents understand how technology affects children, along with practical strategies for managing screen time, promoting healthy digital habits, and creating balanced family routines.
    • Available on Amazon and other book retailers.
  1. Digital Wellness Collective
  • Digital Wellness Resources: This nonprofit organization provides resources and educational materials focused on promoting digital wellness for children and families. It includes research and tips on managing screen time, creating tech-free zones, and fostering meaningful connections in the digital age.
  1. Mindful Tech Coach
  • Mindful Tech Coaching for Parents: This organization offers coaching, workshops, and resources that help families and children use technology in a mindful and balanced way. They provide strategies for managing screen time while fostering creativity, connection, and well-being.
  1. The Social Dilemma (Netflix Documentary)
  • Educational Film for Parents: The documentary explores the societal impact of social media and screens, offering insights into how tech companies influence screen use. It’s an eye-opening resource for parents to understand the addictive nature of digital platforms and how to manage technology’s impact on their family.
    • Available on Netflix.
  1. Digital Parenting Guide by Google
  • Family Link App & Tips: Google offers a guide for parents to set healthy digital habits using their Family Link app, which helps manage screen time and monitor device usage. They also offer tips on how to establish boundaries and promote healthy habits.
    • Website: Google Family Link
  1. The Calm Family
  • Mindful Parenting in the Digital Age: The Calm Family offers tools for parents to manage screen time while cultivating mindfulness, focus, and stress management. They provide webinars and resources to help families create balanced routines and reduce tech overwhelm.
  1. ReThink Technology
  • Screen Time and Digital Well-Being: ReThink offers resources focused on raising children in a digital world, including strategies for managing screen time, understanding the psychological effects of technology, and setting healthy limits.
  1. National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
  • Tech and Trauma Resources: NCTSN offers professional resources about the effects of screen time and social media on children, particularly focusing on how it can relate to trauma and emotional well-being. They provide tips for parents to manage screen time and protect children from the harmful effects of excessive screen use.
  1. Parenting in the Digital Age: A Handbook for Parents of Children 6-12 Years
  • Book by M. K. Joshi and P. Parameswaran: This book helps parents understand the challenges of raising children in a digital world. It provides practical tips for setting limits on screen time, selecting educational media, and ensuring children develop a healthy relationship with technology.

By utilizing these professional resources, parents can gain insights, strategies, and tools to effectively manage screen time and encourage healthier digital habits for their children.