Have you ever asked yourself…
“How much screen time is considered too much?”
Well, right now, there is no set-in-stone answer to that question.
With technology evolving, research has to constantly play catch-up to figure out how much screen time can potentially impact our well-being.
And especially the impact it can have on kids.
Screen Time & Wellbeing
For most kids, screens don’t have a significant impact on their well-being.
Kids are more resilient than we realize in multiple areas of life.
But with that said, we are all unique.
A certain activity or habit can have a greater impact on one child than another.
One child may be able to handle screen time close to bedtime, while one can’t. And that’s okay.
As a parent, all you can do is keep your eyes open for signs and encourage open and honest conversation.
It All Comes Down to Balance
Too much of anything in life isn’t ideal.
It is all about finding a healthy balance.
Needs such as sleep, physical activity, relaxation and friendships can all be negatively impacted by our screens.
Around 30 to 60 minutes of recreational screen time for younger kids a day can be a good starting point.
You can also increase or decrease that number as time goes on if you’d like.
Modelling Healthy Habits
Kids are more observant than you give them credit for.
If your kids see you putting your phone away at a certain time every day or turning it off during meals, they will be more inclined to do the same.
