Digital natives: that’s the term used to describe children born into an age where technology has been ingrained in their lives since birth. It’s an exciting time, with boundless technological possibilities for our future generations. But it’s also a time when we as a society are learning the implications of technology’s continuous presence in our daily lives, and how “screen time” impacts our children’s development.

What exactly are the impacts of screen time? And how can families establish a healthy balance? Let’s explore some smart screen time strategies for parents and caregivers, taking into account the unique needs and circumstances of each child.

What Counts as Screen Time?

The expression “screen time” has become a catch-all phrase used to describe all the different ways we now spend our time in front of screens. Numerous devices are available for educational, professional and entertainment purposes — everything from our phones, tablets and computers to our televisions, gaming devices and even e-readers.

Not all screen time is created equal! Screen time typically falls into these categories:

1. Passive Utilization: Watching television, movies, apps like YouTube, listening to music or reading on a screen.
2. Interactive Utilization: Playing games and surfing the web, where the user is engaged in some way.
3. Communication: Social media, video chatting using apps like FaceTime or Zoom.
4. Creation: Using devices to create digital art, music or videos.
5. Educational: Using technology for research, online classes, learning activities or group discussions.

Frequency of Screen Time for Children Today

Not all screen time is dangerous, of course. But how can parents and caregivers know when it’s too much? Studies have shown that from ages 12 months to 18 years, children are greatly exceeding the recommended screen time limit set for each age group. How does your child or teen compare to their peers? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics has set out a set of screen time guidelines for different age groups, which include: 

• Infant – 2 years: No screen time
• Ages 2 – 4 years: One hour of screen time per day
• Ages 5 – 18 years: Two hours of screen time per day

Understanding Your Child’s Relationship with Screen Time

What makes screen time so addictive? The answer: Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps sustain our interest and attention. The more we experience the behavior, the more dopamine is released — and the more driven we are to return to it. The stimuli produced by screen time can activate the dopamine reward system, creating a dopamine “loop” of sorts.

Children are unique, and so are their interactions with technology. That’s why it’s important to consider the individual needs of your child. The “5 Cs of Media” offer a framework for understanding and guiding your child’s media use:

1. Child

Because children are all different, media carries different risks and benefits for each child. Here are some questions for parents to reflect on what appropriate screen time may look like for their child or teen: 

• Who is your child, and what is their personality? How does this influence what media they are attracted to, and how it affects them?
• Do they seek out wild content on video platforms, or does media help support a special artistic or musical talent?
• Is social media feeding their social anxiety, or do they have a supportive friend group online?

2. Content

Research shows that content quality shapes whether children have positive or negative relationships with media. Learn about what your child or teen plays or watches. Help them think about which videos and games they use that have too much violence, rude role-modeling, unrealistic beauty standards or commercialism.

Although these things “trend” on social media, they can influence emotions and behavior. Common Sense Media is a great resource to find good replacement videos and games. 

3. Calm

Children and teens need to learn strategies for how to manage strong emotions or fall asleep at night, and sometimes media can become a default “go-to” strategy. If this is the case, talk to friends, pediatricians, therapists or other supports to coach your child in new ways to calm down their brains and bodies.

4. Crowding 

Depending on how much media your family is using and what time of day, it might be crowding out other things your family cares about.

Rather than just focusing on reducing screen time, help your family think about what they want to get back. This could look like family quality time, more sleep, playing with pets or time outdoors. Help your child or teen recognize that digital media has lots of “hooks” that keep us online longer than we intended (remember that dopamine cycle!). That’s why it can help to have a plan about when and where media is used every day.

5. Communication

Talk about media early and often. This is one way children and teens build digital literacy. And keeping lines of open communication can help you identify when your child or teen is struggling. It’s normal if screen time is a stressful topic — chances are you may struggle with managing your own screen time too! So take a deep breath, try to be open-minded and ask questions. This shows your child that you’re a safe space, helps reduce guilt and strengthens your problem-solving mindsets.

The Connection Between Screen Time and Children’s Wellbeing

While technology offers many benefits, it’s important to ensure that it doesn’t negatively impact children’s mental, emotional and physical health. Excessive screen time can disrupt sleep, affect social-emotional development and contribute to mental health challenges. However, with mindful management and a focus on the “5 Cs,” families can create a balanced media environment that supports their child’s overall wellbeing.

Every child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether your child is neurotypical or neurodivergent, the goal is to find a balance that works for your family. By prioritizing offline activities, encouraging face-to-face interaction and promoting healthy sleep habits, we can support our children’s overall wellbeing.

Need help promoting a positive change in a child’s relationship with screens, or navigating mental health challenges? Get in touch with Camber today. We are here to support you in creating a healthy and balanced approach to technology.