GoKawiilA new screen-time study from Florida International University’s Center for Children and Families has a not-so-shocking finding. Stressed parents are more likely to turn to their screens and devices to keep their kids busy or calm. And they’re less likely to enforce screen-time limits.
As a parent, it’s easy to use screen time to keep my kids busy. I often try to find alternatives, like Legos or time outside. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Especially when the time spent on tablets and laptops can give me a break to complete household tasks or just take five. There’s no shame or judgment on parents, but it does pose concerns worth considering.
Jeff Temple, a professor and psychologist with UTHealth Houston, who was not affiliated with the FIU study, agrees. “For many families, screens become one of many tools that help everyone get through the day – and that’s mostly OK,” he told CNET.
But more screen time, especially during the summer break, can make the back-to-school season a challenge for kids, Temple said.
Screen time is determined by parents’ stress
FIU’s study evaluated 822 caregivers of children ages 4 to 8 through online surveys on the child’s behaviors, parenting stress and screen-time strategies. The findings show that parents opt for more screen time when a child’s behavior seems difficult and how much time is usually less enforced.
Shayl Griffith, an assistant professor in FIU’s Department of Counseling, Recreation and School Psychology and the senior author of the study, said in a statement that parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. The study’s recommendation is to focus on screen time and media that are “meaningful, engaging and appropriate for their child’s age.”
“When caregivers have the resources they need, they are better able to set consistent boundaries and engage with their children in ways that promote healthy development,” Griffith said.
The fine line between digital media discipline and disruption
Youth screen time is a growing concern. In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics published findings on correlations between digital media use and age-related development to help determine screen time rules for your child and monitor behavior.
... continue reading