Screens are everywhere, so let's talk about healthy use

It’s time to talk about screen time. This topic feels unwieldy and overwhelming and so, so important. Those of you reading this now who have small children at home already have way more to contend with than I did with small children 10 years ago. I didn’t have a smartphone in 2010 and 2013 when I was caring for my first two babies. I can’t even imagine that now.

Screens are EVERYWHERE, and as parents, we therefore MUST scaffold responsible use for our children, so that they have the best chance to enjoy the healthiest possible relationship with screens as they grow. It is our job to be informed and intentional. Our children should practice using screens alongside us and with our guidance; we don’t want to attach shame, which can lead to hiding use. I don’t need to tell you the reasons why this type of relationship with screens can become quite dangerous as children get older.

I talked to Heather about this newsletter before the weekend arrived. I didn’t want to handle this topic on my own. I was snobby about screen time when my kids were small; I still feel good about the choices around screen time that I made for my kids in their earliest years, but I had some luxuries that others do not, and I wish that any mom who ever felt judged by my prideful attitude could observe my household now. My children have humbled me, and while my family remains mindful about screen time, we spend more time discussing it and managing it and negotiating around it than I’d prefer. But, alas, it is my job to navigate these unchartered waters as best I can, lest my children flounder about on the vast ocean of technology alone. They might not be able to swim anyway, since they’d be clutching their devices.

My children are big, though, and if you’re reading this, your children are probably small, so the good news is that you get to start small, too. I could type paragraphs upon paragraphs on this topic, but here’s what Heather and I want you to know, most of all:

• It is true that children shouldn’t have screen time before they’re two years old, if you can help it. (Face-timing with loved ones doesn’t count. Even science says so. Yay!)
• If you can’t help it, give yourself a break, but just stay aware of the impacts of screen time on young brains. “Everything in moderation” is an OK mindset here; you have to take care of yourself to be the best you can be for your kids. Sometimes Ms. Rachel can save the day. Let her.
• Besides Ms. Rachel, for the pre-kindergarten set, we love Bluey, Shaun the Sheep, Daniel Tiger, Molly of Denali, Curious George, and PBS in general.
• Audiobooks, podcasts (follow Circle Round from WBUR if you’re not already), Yoto players (my favorite), or Tonieboxes (available at the Winona Public Library) can be great alternatives to screen time, up through elementary and beyond.

Reach out to us if you want to talk about screen use and technology, big picture, small steps, developmental stages, programming recommendations, or anything else you want to dig into more. We’re here for you, and we’re paddling these same waters. We’re mostly working against the current, but we’re gonna make it, friends.

Follow this: Common Sense Media

Not only is it important to monitor how long your child spends on a screen, it is important to monitor what they are seeing on that screen. Common Sense Media is a great resource! It is a nonprofit that reviews and provides ratings for TV shows, movies, video games, books, podcasts, apps and more with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children.

COMMON SENSE MEDIA