logo
BabySparks
logo
  • What is BabySparks?
  • The Science
  • Childcare Providers
  • Learning Center
  • Get BabySparks
  • en
    • es
Health & Nutrition
Making Sense of the New Screen Time Guidelines
1 November, 2016 by Maureen O'Brien in Health & Nutrition

Have you heard? The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its 2016 recommendations about screen times for children. Their report makes it clear that there are long-term negative consequences for introducing screens too early or allowing kids to view them for too long. Screens includes electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles and other similar toys.

This group of over 64,000 pediatric professionals has reiterated its stance that entertainment screens should not be introduced before a child is 18 months old. After that, they recommend no more than one hour per day from 18 months to 5 years old, with parents actively watching with their young children to provide context.

Whoa, you say! That’s not possible – there are screens everywhere. Or, you might be thinking, I need to use screens to keep my young child quiet in public. We have all been there. This is not a sanctimommy post – but a practical set of guidelines to help you navigate a challenging issue.

First Things First: Why Should You Care?

It’s just a little game or video time, right? Not so much. The pervasiveness of screens is increasing rapidly and, with it, research to determine the impact. For now, though, there is fairly universal agreement that too much screen time can lead to:

Obesity: It’s no surprise that the more time children spend sitting, the less time they spend engaged in physical activity. Couple that with the finding that with every hour of television, children consume an additional 167 kcal/day and you have a high risk of obesity.

Development Delays: Research in this area is evolving, but there is generally thought to be potential impact on attention span, ability to concentrate, speech development, social skills and behavior management.

Sleep Challenges: Increased electronics usage can lead to later bedtimes (generally in older children), suppression of melatonin, issues ‘settling’ into bedtime routines for high-energy shows and games. Sleep is critical for kids’ development – a good night’s sleep can dramatically improve brain function.

  • Aggression: Studies of younger ages are mixed, because young children are generally less able to control their aggressive impulses than older children, both because of developmental differences and the ability to communicate frustration verbally. Nonetheless, there is considerable evidence that children are very likely to mimic the kinds of aggressive acts they see on screens (including cartoon violence).

So that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news:

1 – It’s never too late to set guidelines for screen time. An easy option is to set a rule from the outset that screens are only for weekend use. Apple has come up with some handy tools to limit usage on iPad and iPhone that limit the need for you to be the enforcer.

2 – Just as screens and games have evolved in recent years, so too have non-electronic activities. For babies and toddlers, there are plenty of toys and books that can easily replace screens to keep kids engaged or distracted.

3 – When you are using screens, there are some apps that are better than others. Stay away from high-speed, action games and videos. Utilize games that require action/response from the toddler vs. those that are just for consuming fast imagery. Nursery rhyme apps, coloring apps, and letter drawing are some better choices.


Maureen O’Brien, PhD is a developmental psychologist, parenting coach and author of ‘Watch Me Grow: I’m One-Two-Three’, available at http://amzn.to/1QtvyFl. More parenting tips and resources can be found on www.destinationparenting.com.

0 Comments
  • overstimulation
  • screen time
2 Like!
Share
Maureen O'Brien

SEARCH

Tags

baby baby cognitive feeding health language language skills milestones sensory social-emotional speech toddler
ABOUT US
THE TEAM
TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY
support@babysparks.com
FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter
Copyright © 2018 BabySparks LLC. All rights reserved I Web Development E-takeoff SAS
logo
X
GET BABYSPARKS
Step 2 of 2
ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
(All Prices in USD)

Form of Payment

Monthly: $1.25 per month/per child
Annually: $12.00 per year/per child (20% discount)

Form of Payment

Monthly: $2.25 per month/per child
Annually: $21.50 per year/per child (20% discount)

Form of Payment

Monthly: $5.00 per month/per child
Annually: $45.00 per year/per child (25% discount)

Number of children:

x per child

Total Amount

SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
* Required field
Buy now BS

BabySparks Premium Gives You…

Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

An expert-created program to support the development of children under your care

Tools to increase family engagement, invite each family to use the program at home

Ability to track each child's progress in real-time (and share it with his/her family)

Add unlimited children, caregivers and locations to your account

Manage and track progress across your organization through our desktop dashboard

Cancel your subscription at any time

By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
X
EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
Your account
Change your password
X
EDIT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
Update payment method
* Required field
Buy now BS
By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
X
UPDATE YOUR PACKAGE
Your Activity Package
(All Prices in USD)

1 Month

$ 3 99

per month

1 Year

$ 23 99

per year

Update your package at any time
(All Prices in USD)
Pay as you go

1 Month

$ 3 99

per month

50% Discount

1 Year

$ 23 99

per year

60% Discount

Lifetime

$ 37 99

one time

How does it work?

You can change your activity package at any time.

The change will take place at the end of your current subscription period.

You will only be charged the new rate once the change takes place.

Cancel Activity Package
X
LOGIN BABYSPARKS

Forgot your password?

X
PASSWORD RESET
X
RESET PASSWORD
X
GET BABYSPARKS
Step 1 of 2
Create Your Account

Already Have an Account? Login

X
GET BABYSPARKS
Step 1 of 2
Create Your Account

Already Have an Account? Login

X
GET BABYSPARKS
Step 2 of 2
Logged in as: (Not me)
Select Your Activity Package
(All Prices in USD)
Pay as you go

1 Month

$ 3 99

per month

YOUR OFFER

$ 2 99

50% Discount

1 Year

$ 1 99

per month

Paid Annually: $23.99
YOUR OFFER

$ 2 99

60% Discount

Lifetime

$ 37 99

one time

YOUR OFFER

$ 2 99

BabySparks Premium Gives You…

Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

An expert-created program to support your child’s development

Weekly development reports summarize progress

Browse activities for any situation

Expert-written articles about development

Sync up to 5 devices (add family and caregivers)

Add up to 5 babies to your account

Cancel your susbcription at any time

* Required field
Buy now BS
By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.