New Screen Times Guidelines Issued by the AAP
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By: Maya Listman
Having grown up in the digital age, children and teens can seem hooked to their devices at times. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended no screen time for children under the age of two years, and limited screen time – no more than two hours a day – for children over the age of two. But times they are a changin’, as they say, and the AAP had updated its recommended guidelines along with the times.
Conceding that the 2011 AAP guidelines were released prior to tablets and other smart devices aimed at young children and therefore were not taking into account how even the youngest children learn and play today, the researchers worked diligently to review and modify the guidelines. Understanding that “scientific research and policy statements lag behind the pace of digital innovation,” the organization respected by physicians and caregivers alike, presented a new list of guidelines this week.
The new AAP screen time guidelines highlight the importance of co-engagement, or what is also known as co-viewing in front of a larger screen, for example. A Savvy Auntie can talk through lessons learned or help guide a child through finding a solution when a child is interacting with a game or educational app. And content is important; not just any old app is recommended. Plus, limiting time in front of screens while increasing “talk time” and other social interactions, is vital to young children’s development.
Below are the updated guidelines for you - and to share with your nieces’ and nephews’ parents and caregivers:
Media is just another environment. Children do the same things they have always done, only virtually. Like any environment, media can have positive and negative effects.
Parenting has not changed. The same parenting rules apply to your children’s real and virtual environments. Play with them. Set limits; kids need and expect them. Teach kindness. Be involved. Know their friends and where they are going with them.
Role modeling is critical. Limit your own media use, and model online etiquette. Attentive parenting requires face time away from screens.
We learn from each other. Neuroscience research shows that very young children learn best via two-way communication. “Talk time” between caregiver and child remains critical for language development. Passive video presentations do not lead to language learning in infants and young toddlers. The more media engender live interactions, the more educational value they may hold (e.g., a toddler chatting by video with a parent who is traveling). Optimal educational media opportunities begin after age 2, when media may play a role in bridging the learning achievement gap.
Content matters. The quality of content is more important than the platform or time spent with media. Prioritize how your child spends his time rather than just setting a timer.
Curation helps. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research validates their quality (Hirsh-Pasek KPsych Science2015;16:3-34Google Scholar). An interactive product requires more than “pushing and swiping” to teach. Look to organizations like Common Sense Media (http://commonsensemedia.org) that review age-appropriate apps, games and programs.
Co-engagement counts. Family participation with media facilitates social interactions and learning. Play a video game with your kids. Your perspective influences how your children understand their media experience. For infants and toddlers, co-viewing is essential.
Playtime is important. Unstructured playtime stimulates creativity. Prioritize daily unplugged playtime, especially for the very young.
Set limits. Tech use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Does your child’s technology use help or hinder participation in other activities?
It’s OK for your teen to be online. Online relationships are integral to adolescent development. Social media can support identity formation. Teach your teen appropriate behaviors that apply in both the real and online worlds. Ask teens to demonstrate what they are doing online to help you understand both content and context.
Create tech-free zones. Preserve family mealtime. Recharge devices overnight outside your child’s bedroom. These actions encourage family time, healthier eating habits and healthier sleep.
Kids will be kids. Kids will make mistakes using media. These can be teachable moments if handled with empathy. Certain aberrations, however, such as sexting or posting self-harm images, signal a need to assess youths for other risk-taking behaviors.
With life becoming more digital, and nieces and nephews who don’t know a world without smartphones and tablets, it seems appropriate that screen time guidelines change too. Take these new guidelines as an opportunity to turn screen time into “QualAuntie Time” with your young nieces and nephews.
Photo: Kaspars Grinvalds
Published: October 2, 2015