How to manage screen time for your kids this summer

Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC, through its contractor, Mom Central Consulting, provided a promotional item as a thank you to the blogger who made this post for participating in this campaign. The opinions and experiences expressed in this post are solely the bloggers opinions, based on the blogger’s experiences and do not reflect any positions or opinions of Comcast Communications Management, LLC.

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.

As Comcast Xfinity subscribers, I discovered we have a lot more options for managing screen time than I thought. I knew about  family movies through the OnDemand section on our TV, but didn’t realize the variety of family and children’s programming available on multiple screens and devices.

Some movies and shows are free and others are free with premium subscriptions or a fee per movie. I’ve got my eye on Disney’s Chimpanzee available right now for an upcoming family movie night.

Another feature I discovered with Xfinity is the iPad Xfinity TV app. I can search for shows anywhere I have wifi. If I see a show I like, I can download it to the iPad for viewing when there’s no wifi. This will be great for road trips (some of which have been twenty-four hours in the car!). I also sometimes use a show for when I have migraines, to keep the house quieter while I recover.

On the Xfinity TV player, I can search by family/kids shows and movies, subscription only, genre, or downloadable options. I noted classics like Annie and Shirley Temple, mixed in with recent flicks like Brave and Brother Bear, so there’s many choices for kids. Learn how to download content with the Xfinity TV Player App through the slideshow here. Next time you’re heading out on a long trip, download the options you approve of in advance!

Xfinity has an entire section of their site devoted to helping parents help kids make smart media choices. There are tutorials on how to restrict access, set controls, and even how to have a positive media experience. I watched a few short videos, and I appreciate that Comcast Xfinity understands the importance of  a healthy balance when it comes to digital entertainment; in one video they discuss using media “to learn, to connect, to communicate… and then put them away and do something else.” Smart advice!

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?

Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC, through its contractor, Mom Central Consulting, provided a promotional item as a thank you to the blogger who made this post for participating in this campaign. The opinions and experiences expressed in this post are solely the bloggers opinions, based on the blogger’s experiences and do not reflect any positions or opinions of Comcast Communications Management, LLC.