Children with greater daily exposure to screens may be missing out on more important and enriching experiences. While the APA recommends limiting screen time for infants under 2 years of age, there is no evidence that short exposure to screens, including video calls, causes any harm.
According to a talk by Dr. Rachel Barr, PhD (Georgetown University) and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, PhD (UCLA), screen time can be beneficial when the content is educational and engaging. Videos games, for example, can teach spatial learning and hand-eye coordination. However, what is important is balancing screen time with other activities such as getting fresh air, socializing, and sleeping.
It can be a good idea to have a media plan‒setting a time for your child to use the screen and a time set for other activities.
For teenagers, media allows them to do what they would normally developmentally do: to connect with peers and learn. This can be especially important during current times because they need that social engagement. Likewise, video chat is good for even younger children.
Consider using the E-AIMS method: media should be engaging, actively involved, meaningful, and social.
Sources and additional reading:
- Webinar by Dr. Barr & Uhls At home with the Child Experts: The Science of Screen Time During COVID-19
- Talk also on YouTube
- Choosing Media Content for Young Children Using the E-AIMS Model
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media and Children Communication Toolkit
- New York Times article Agonizing Over Screen Time? Follow the three C’s
- New York Times article Is Screen Time Bad for Kids’ Brains?