How Much Digital Media is Appropriate for Children and How Should It Be Used?

Digital media often plays a major role in the lives of children these days, and it can be either a positive or a negative depending upon how it is used. One thing is certain, a great number of hours can be wasted unless digital media use is limited by parents. Digital media use includes television and movie viewing; using all types of computers and cell phones; playing computer and video games; and, engaging in social networking activities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that screen time be eliminated for children under the age of 2, and for children between ages 3 and 5, AAP suggests that screen time be limited to less than 1 hour per day of age-appropriate programing. Whether or not you agree with the AAP recommendation (and I think that it’s a bit on the strict side), it is important that parents avoid using television as a pacifier or a babysitter. It is far better for children to be engaged in independent play within sight of the parent than it is for them to be placed in front of the television when the parent is busy with some chore (such as preparing dinner, for example).

Also, because too much “screen time” takes away from other activities, AAP recommends that total screen time should be kept to under 2 hours per day, even for children ages 5 to 12. While this may seem like a small number of hours, if you consider a school-aged child’s typical day and the time required for such things as sleep, school, homework, chores, extracurricular activities, and active play, there really isn’t that much time left for digital media in a typical weekday.

No matter how many hours per day you decide to allow your children access to digital media, it is important that you consider carefully whether or not to allow your child to have a television and/or a computer in his bedroom. This is important for two reasons. First, it has been demonstrated that screen time in the hour before bedtime can interfere with sleep. Second, having a television or a computer in the bedroom allows less popular children to withdraw from interpersonal contact. Third, allowing their child access to a computer or television in out-of-the-way places reduces the ability of parents to control the content of his viewing.

In general, research indicates that digital media can have both positive and negative influences on behavior. The use of word processing software can provide a good tool for children’s written expression—for example, its use can free young children from the limitations inherent in their developing small-motor skills. Television can broaden children’s experiences by exposing them to things that they’ve never seen, places they’ve never been, people whom they’ve never met, and things that they’ve never done. Educational software can teach reading, counting, spelling and problem solving. On the other hand, digital media may be detrimental to children’s development in the following ways (Wetzel, 1990):

• less time spent in physical activity;

• less time spent in active learning;

• reduced number of social interactions;

• increased exposure to commercials that can distort values;

• increased exposure to television programs, movies, and video games that may misrepresent gender and race and lead to stereotyping;

• increased likelihood of engaging in cyberbullying or being subject to cyberbullying;

• reduced parent-child interactions; and,

• fewer opportunities to discover a wide range of interests and capabilities.

Parents can mitigate the negative effects of digital media through the following:

• limiting time spent in digital media activities;

• ensuring that television programs and movies are developmentally appropriate;

• eliminating programs that are aimed at an adult audience (which can distort the child’s view of the “real world”);

• avoiding the use of digital media as a babysitter;

• explaining that content of television programs and movies is not real;

• watching/playing with their child and using opportunities to discuss issues;

• teaching children to watch television/movies critically;

• following up television with active experiences;

• encouraging children to use the computer in pairs or small groups;

• helping them to understand the role that advertising plays in modifying consumer behavior;

• evaluating program/game content for appropriateness;

• placing the family’s computer in a central location in the home; and,

• choosing programs/games with their child.

In general, the Prudent Parent uses common sense when it comes to limiting her child’s digital media use. Like most things, moderation is the key. Also, knowing your child is critical to making judgments about how much and where to allow your child to use digital media.