Managing screen time for kids has always been a hot topic for us as parents. I'm pretty sure were in the conservative minority, at the same time, we don't ban all movie / show watching! We just believe in careful management.
Our policy is screen time needs to be purposeful, planned, and productive. Flipping through channels mindlessly is not allowed for our kids (we even avoid it ourselves). We follow the AAP recommendation of no screen time until age two, but now our three year old enjoys watching the occasional "dee-vee-DEEEeee!" about tractors, trains, or ABC's.
Here's how we manage screen time:
1. We carefully select and preview every video. Having a roster of "approved" shows ensures there's no debate, no parental hemming and hawing about whether something is okay to watch or not.
2. We don't keep a large DVD collection. Shelves of movies would lead to constant "I want to watch TV!" moments. Instead, we've tried streaming or downloadable videos to find content we feel comfortable showing our son, and bring that content out at times we feel it's appropriate.
3. We make use of parent controls. Right now this involves just keeping the remotes on top of the TV armoir, and closing/locking the cabinet! Heh! I think digital controls will come into play as he gets older, but even at three and a half, my son knows how to turn on the TV or slide in a DVD.
Managing screen time becomes even more important as kids get older and make independent viewing choices. Now is the time to teach them to balance digital entertainment and select quality content. I think balancing the many options available in a digital age is key to using digital entertainment in a positive and productive way.
How do you manage screen time in your family?
We are not good at 'managing' screen time at all. P has stuff he likes but never sits in front of it long. The big boys do love their tv but if it's been too long I just say Turn It Off. I am probably not a good parent when it comes to TV! 🙂
We are not good at 'managing' screen time at all. P has stuff he likes but never sits in front of it long. The big boys do love their tv but if it's been too long I just say Turn It Off. I am probably not a good parent when it comes to TV! 🙂
I only allow so much tv time to keep my kids in chceck. Otherwise they would be glued to it
I only allow so much tv time to keep my kids in chceck. Otherwise they would be glued to it
Now that my youngest is starting school today (along with the other 3 children) and summer is over, I am going to have to start regulating their time on the TV.
Now that my youngest is starting school today (along with the other 3 children) and summer is over, I am going to have to start regulating their time on the TV.
my kids have to earn screen time. and its in small increments, limited amounts -- like they can do a chore or 2 and earn 10 minutes. they want more, they have to do more chores. the only true "uninterrupted " screen time they get is family movie nights. or when they are sick.
my kids have to earn screen time. and its in small increments, limited amounts -- like they can do a chore or 2 and earn 10 minutes. they want more, they have to do more chores. the only true "uninterrupted " screen time they get is family movie nights. or when they are sick.
I just heard about this yesterday and I'm liking what it offers, especially parental controls.
I just heard about this yesterday and I'm liking what it offers, especially parental controls.
great post... it's soo hard to keep the kids away from the electronics these days... I have the hardest time keeping my 5 year old off the iPad or iPhone.. I will look into a parental app to lock her out after so long... loved your tips and will keep them in mind while trying to cut out the screen time....thanks for sharing
great post... it's soo hard to keep the kids away from the electronics these days... I have the hardest time keeping my 5 year old off the iPad or iPhone.. I will look into a parental app to lock her out after so long... loved your tips and will keep them in mind while trying to cut out the screen time....thanks for sharing
We have all of our DVDs downloaded and then the disks stored away. It clears up a lot of space and looks nicer. Great tips!
We have all of our DVDs downloaded and then the disks stored away. It clears up a lot of space and looks nicer. Great tips!
Everything you mentioned above is exactly what we do, although we do have a large collection of DVD's. We love Xfinity on Demand and use it all the time.
Everything you mentioned above is exactly what we do, although we do have a large collection of DVD's. We love Xfinity on Demand and use it all the time.
Does this work for husbands? LOL Just kidding. Sounds like you have a great routine down! That's great and so important for parents!!
Does this work for husbands? LOL Just kidding. Sounds like you have a great routine down! That's great and so important for parents!!
So many devices are coming with built-in parental controls. It's nice to see how standard that's becoming.
So many devices are coming with built-in parental controls. It's nice to see how standard that's becoming.
My son is at the age where he wants to watch t.v. as much as we will let him. This would be great to help manage him better.
My son is at the age where he wants to watch t.v. as much as we will let him. This would be great to help manage him better.
These are all great suggestions. Since I have some of the paid cable channels, parental controls are a must have.
These are all great suggestions. Since I have some of the paid cable channels, parental controls are a must have.
It sounds like they have some great features for parental control. We use a program that allows us to see everything that our son watched, we really like that too! Luckily my son just started rigorous football practices, so he has finally toned down on the screen time naturally!
It sounds like they have some great features for parental control. We use a program that allows us to see everything that our son watched, we really like that too! Luckily my son just started rigorous football practices, so he has finally toned down on the screen time naturally!