How much screen time is too much for your kids?
Suffering through another bitter Chicago winter may have your children climbing the walls. The easy solution? Park them in front of the tablet, smartphone or TV screen to keep them quiet and entertained.
But how much screen time is too much?
For all ages, Dr. Christina Benedict, pediatric hospitalist with Amita Health Women's and Children's Hospital, Hoffman Estates, said screen time should be limited to appropriate times and places.
“Screens should be kept out of children's bedrooms and out of reach during meal times and bedtime,” Benedict said. “You want to make certain your children are properly socialized, are getting a good amount of physical activity and their sleep isn't interrupted.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommended guidelines for screen time for children include:
• Children younger than 18 months should not be allowed screen time, except for video chatting with distant loved ones.
• Children aged 18 to 24 months can be introduced to screens through educational programming.
• Children between the ages of 2 and 5 should be limited to one hour of screen time each day, also limited to educational programming.
• Children ages 6 and older should be limited by time and device type.
Children's brains develop at an astounding rate and the exact effect of screen time hasn't fully been determined, she said.
“For any child, unstructured play and genuine face-to-face interaction provides more valuable skill-building to their developing brains than a video or video game,” Benedict said. “Motor strength, problem-solving skills and creativity are better advanced person-to-person or with their imaginations.”
According to Benedict, as your child ages, it's imperative for families to make an effort to spend quality time together and for children to socialize with their peers. Be sure to encourage outdoor activities, even in the winter months, and participation in school or community athletics or arts clubs.
“It's particularly difficult to curb screen time for teens,” she said. “But if they are engaged with friends and family, getting their homework finished and participating in extracurricular activities, you can be a little more lenient about your screen time restrictions.”
• Children's health is a continuing series. This week's article is courtesy of Amita Health, which comprises 19 hospitals and more than 230 sites of care, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Women & Children's Hospital, Hoffman Estates. To check out more information, visit www.amitahealth.org.