


Conversation Lab • November 11, 2022
There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it; between remote working, streaming our entertainment, socialising virtually, and even reading books, we are all spending more time glued to electronic screens than ever before. And our children are too. It’s no wonder that so many of us are asking ourselves: how much screen time is too much, and should I set screen time limits for my child? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you may think.
Yes, too much screen time can have negative effects on our kids, but we live in a digital world that is only going to become more reliant on electronics and technology to function—we can’t simply take the screens away. So, the answer to that question is all about finding the right balance in setting screen time limits and exposing your children to healthy electronic and online habits that help them learn and develop new skills.
What’s the big deal, right? We all grew up with TVs blaring front and centre of our living rooms. And now, digital devices are a ubiquitous element of daily life. Well, as the time and attention our children spend staring at screens increases, so too do the emotional and developmental effects. Excessive screen time and its accompanying instant gratification also impacts how children communicate and interact with the real world.
There are pros and cons to screen time in the digital age and it’s all about setting healthy boundaries. Experts recommend setting screen time limits by age:
Recent thinking also points to some types of screen time being better than others. For example, a lot passive viewing where a child just stares at the screen and isn’t required to do any thinking or physical activity can be problematic.
Learning programmes, video chatting with friends and family, creative apps, and physical games all fall under what’s considered as active screen time. These are screen-based activities that aid cognitive thinking and even physical activity in some way, encourage participation, and make learning fun.
The bottom line is that screen time should never replace human interaction – we should be playing with our children, letting them play with others, spend time moving their bodies and exploring their worlds. And if your feel like your children are spending too much time staring at digital devices, here are some ways you can enforce screen time limits in your family:
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