Loss of control is the hallmark of an addiction
By Tania Haas
From zoned-out toddlers to teens with texting tunnel vision, parents of the touch-screen generation can be uncertain on where to draw the line on mobile device usage. While we know a tech-savvy kid is learning skills for the modern world, parents are also aware there are drawbacks with too much device time. Here are ways parents can guide reasonable responses to technology:
Set a limit on recreational screen time
According to the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), toddlers and children (age 4 and under) should limit screen time to less than one hour a day. Older children (age 5 to 11) and youth (age 12 to 17) should limit recreational screen time to a maximum of two hours a day. That means less than 120 minutes of cumulative Netflix, texting or playing on the Xbox.
Alternative approaches to media consumption
Screen Time author Lisa Guernsey offers an alternative approach to media consumption. It involves three C’s: content, context, and your child. Guernsey encourages parents to ask: Do you think the content is appropriate? Is screen time a relatively small part of your child’s interaction with you and the real world? Based on these answers, create customized rules for your child.
Say your child is interested in coding or graphic design. This child may have a lot more recreational screen time than other children.
While removing the iPad may trigger tantrums in both toddlers and teens (Canada’s ParticipACTION found that only 24% of 5 to 17 year olds met the recommendation of no more than 2 hours a day), abiding by these guidelines makes space for different types of activity, and better sleeps.
Remove screens from bedrooms, rein in during study sessions
A 2015 study in Pediatrics found that children who sleep near a small screen get an average of 21 fewer minutes of sleep than kids without gadgets in their rooms. In recent decades children’s sleep has decreased by about 30 to 60 minutes – possibly due to heart-pumping activity being replaced by sedentary screen time. Meanwhile teenagers’ ability to concentrate has reduced. A Stanford University study linked teenagers’ multitasking computer habits with the loss of the ability to focus.
Choose appropriate games and programs for toddlers
“I know some parents removed screens entirely after seeing their children repeatedly go into a trance-like state. Depending on the design of the program, the images may be too complex for the child to absorb,” says Chantal Wiggins-McKinnon, a registered nurse and Program Lead, Child and Youth at Medcan. “That being said, research shows that more appropriate educational games are benefiting children in ways we couldn’t have expected.”
In general, Wiggins-McKinnon encourages sticking to the CESP guidelines.
Recognize the benefits of social media for older children and teens
The role of technology changes for older children and teenagers. That’s when the digital device is no longer just entertainment or education, it’s a window to the outside world.
“The touchscreen is the conduit for social media, which has been linked to improved friendships among teens, while texting has even been linked to the emotional well-being of teenagers, especially introverted ones,” says Mark J. Rothman, PsyD, CPsych, Registered Psychologist at Medcan.
Watch out for overuse, addiction, warning signs
“The hallmark of an addiction is loss of control,” says Dr. Rothman. “Social media and texting are set up like video games. They are designed to be incredibly self reinforcing.”
While most teens are not addicted, Dr. Rothman says, if not controlled early on, their overuse can harm other aspects of their lives.
Warning signs include slipping grades, hostility, highly sensitivity, strong preoccupation with the phone and not being interested in formerly enjoyed activities.
“The more it starts to invade other relationships or responsibilities; it’s no longer a positive activity,” says Dr. Rothman. “It’s no different than any other privilege or activity that has become an obstacle.”
Prevent compulsive device use
Teens can be reminded that true freedom is the ability to choose. Here are some suggested guidelines:
Parents and teen agree on set rules before the device is handed over.
The device should be surrendered when agreements have been broken or there’s been inappropriate usage.
Limit daily recreational screen time to 1.5 hours ideally (maximum: two hours) or weekends only.
Establish screen-free times and zones such as no phones in the bedroom at night or at family meals (some parents collect phones ahead of meals or bedtime).
Encourage mono-tasking or “interval training” away from devices by shutting phones off during homework or other activities.
Parents can model ideal device behaviour, especially in the car. Reminder: drivers using a mobile device are just as or more dangerous than drunk drivers.
Download a free usage tracker to the device to monitor daily screen time.
Teach each other well
“Social media is to teens today, what the telephone was to my generation. Every older generation initially rejects the interests of the next – it’s understandable but not mandatory,” says Dr. Rothman. “Parents and teens can learn together how to wisely use media and technology.”