HOW to manage kids’ screen time is front-of-mind for many families across the country these school holidays. Understanding the challenges, experts from the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program have a few simple strategies to create a healthy balance.
Heightened screen time is becoming the new norm, with a new research review showing a 52% spike in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022.
Author of Teen Triple P and Triple P International’s Head of Training, Associate Professor Alan Ralph, said that excess
screen time can impact young developing brains.
“The experiences that children and teens have each and every day, creates important learning and new neural
pathways,” Dr Ralph said.
“Excessive screen time not only leads to sleep disturbance and lack of physical activity, but also a potential decline in
critical thinking skills – this can happen in adults as well as children and teenagers.”
Kids pay attention to what their guardians say and do, so modelling positive behaviours will help to reduce conflict and resistance.
Set a screen time schedule. Research suggests that children under 5 should have a maximum of 1 hour, and 5-17-year-olds should have a maximum of 2 hours of recreational screen time daily. Try scheduling screen time so the expectations are clear.
Swap screen time for other activities. The easiest way to reduce screen time is by replacing the time normally spent on a device with something else like physical activity or time outside, so your child can engage their brain in different and new ways whilst also spending quality family time.
Keep the conversation open. Screens are a common form of socialisation. Cutting screens as a form of communication without constructive conversations as to ‘why’ can lead to conflict – especially when kids might not be able to see their friends.
There’s no quick fix! The holidays bring many challenges and tackling heightened screen time is just one more to the list. It’s OK to not get it perfect from the start, so looking at it as an ongoing learning opportunity rather than a quick fix will reduce the stress associated with these changes. Focus on praising what your child has achieved. Change takes trial, error, and time.
“These tips are not a one size fits all solution; they are interchangeable to suit your family’s needs. If you are overwhelmed or seeking extra support, Triple P has a variety of free online programs available that may be of assistance,” Dr Ralph said.
Visit www.triplep-parenting.net.au for free access to support and advice.