Updated December, 2022
Hard truth: We are running a giant, uncontrolled experiment on our children (link) right now. How does all this access to video games, computers, I-Pads, and telephones effect the way our children’s minds work? How does it change the way they learn? The way they think? The answer is, we don’t know yet. We do know that these screens are starting to replace traditional toys and materials and we are relying too heavily on them.
I am constantly talking about how much I hate electronic toys, but screens these days are more than some annoying drums. We question how much is too much screen time for kids, or even if we should let our children watch TV at all. At the same time, there is more and more research around the emotional effects of too much screen time. Yet despite the research, more and more overworked parents are turning to IPads and games to do more and more of the teaching of their children.
The Research
Okay, I may have exaggerated when I said that there was no research. But if we are honest, as a whole, we are choosing to ignore what the research says. Turn OFF the screen to develop the brain. That is what our research has told us over and over. Screens hold attention hostage and get in the way of children playing and exploring.
The Kentucky Department of Public Health did a great series of Healthy Numbers for Kids and Families that I refer my college students to when I teach ECE 101 to them. In it they outline that screen time should be limited to 2 hours or less. Yet the CDC reports that children ages 8-10 spend more like 6 hours per day in front of a screen. The research is there, we just don’t heed it.
Times Have Changed
If any of you are like me, you grew up with your fair share of TV and video games. The games of our time were different though. Many of us had one shared computer, or maybe didn’t even have a computer. Our video games existed alone on a console, without ads or contact with the outside world. Our children are living a very different experience than us.
I didn’t have a cell phone until I was well into high school. Now our children carry phones as early as 7 and 8 years old. Our children are being provided with tablets at school and TV at home. And all of these screens are expertly connected to the rest of the internet based system. Every time your child logs on to use one of their electronic devices, they are bombarded with ads and games designed by an army of paid professionals. The only job of these professionals is to hijack your child’s brain (and yours!) to keep them coming back to play the game or buy the product over and over again.
To compare our children’s screen experience with our own would be dishonest and inaccurate. Yet we ourselves, as adults, are incredibly reliant on screens and thus are constantly modeling an addiction to them for our children. We have the developmental ability to sort out use and resist ads, at least to an extent. Our children don’t have that yet.
Finding Balance
I don’t know what the right answer is, but I do know we have to pay attention to what we are letting our children plug into. If your child is under two (arguably even under five), just don’t. As tempting as it can be to let them plug in, resist the urge. Being able to use electronics will come easily and inevitably for your child. It isn’t impressive that they know how to open your apps. The games are designed to be usable by toddlers.
Striking a balance with your child as they get older will become important. I know people who had unlimited access to video games as children and now have a healthy, balanced relationship with them. On the flip side, I know people who had very restricted or no access when they were young who now will binge and spend an entire day plugged in. It’s about teaching responsibility, time management, and self control.
I have a tendency to favor console games over any I-Pad Apps or internet games because at least the console games tend to have a story line and are generally void of advertisements. I also want to warn against letting your child watch Twitch and Youtube gamers. These streams are made for entertainment purposes and there are some really inappropriate gamers out there. Not all content will be child friendly.
The real goal behind electronics is to teach your child balance. Sure, let them play the latest video game, or even watch an entertaining movie. But also make sure they are still getting fresh air, doing their homework, and taking care of themselves via showers and eating well. If all they want to do is plug in, they have a problem. As your child gets older, you won’t be there to monitor them as closely anymore, so teaching them about responsible electronics use before they are teenagers is going to be vital.
How do you handle electronics at your house? Leave a comment for others to see.
