The holidays are a challenging time for parents, not just because our children have less structure (school’s out!) but also because they have more opportunities to be on their screens. Electronics are a part of everyone’s life but too much screen time increases stimulation and overwhelm and can lead to anxiety and depression. They can interfere with sleep, which is important for overall health and well-being. Screens can expose kids to inappropriate content or feelings of being inadequate when they compare themselves to others. We have also seen screens contributing to social isolation by preventing face-to-face interactions where they practice direct communication and building relationships and other critical life skills. I definitely see this in my boys with grouchy behavior, sneaking screens, and getting overstimulated. The struggle is real!
Let’s discuss some guidelines and tips on how to manage your kids’ screen time during the holiday season – so you can have that important time together with more ease and joy.
What are the healthy screen guidelines for children?
While technology provides so many benefits and can be great learning tools, too much screen time can be harmful for kids. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends following these healthy screen guidelines for children:
Â
- For babies and toddlers under 18 months, avoid screen time altogether. This includes TV, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
- For kids aged 18 to 24 months, limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming. Again, this includes TV, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
- For kids aged 2 to 5 years old, limit screen time to one hour per day. Once kids reach school age (6 years old and up), there is no AAP-recommended limit on screen time as long as it is high-quality content and doesn’t take away from important activities like sleep and physical activity.
So how do you make sure your kid’s screen time is high-quality? Look for shows and apps that are educational and teach positive values. And always supervise your child when they’re using screens to make sure they’re not spending too much time on them or viewing inappropriate content.
Tips to help kids get off screens over the holidays
The holidays are a great time to spend with family and friends, but they can also be a time when kids spend more time on screens. Here are some tips to help you manage screen time over the holidays:
1. Set limits in advance: Before the holidays begin, sit down with your kids and agree on how much screen time they will have each day. Feel free to use my “healthy mind platter” that I adapted for you to map this out with your kiddos and avoid arguments later on.
2. Stick to a routine: If possible, try to stick to the same screen-time rules that you have during the rest of the year. This will help keep things consistent for your kids. Revise the healthy mind platter as needed.
3. Make sure there are other options: Make sure there are plenty of other activities available for your kids to do, so they don’t get bored and turn to screens out of boredom.
4. Take advantage of technology-free times: There are bound to be times during the holidays when everyone is busy with something else. Use these moments to disconnect from screens and connect with each other instead.
5. Be a good role model: Kids learn by example, so if you’re spending lots of time on your own devices, it’s likely that they’ll want to do the same. Try to limit your own screen time as well, and focus on spending quality time together as a family instead.
6. Use screen-free times as bonding opportunities: Use screen-free periods as an opportunity to bond with your kids and do something fun together. This can be anything from playing games or going for walks, to cooking or crafting together.
7. Be flexible: The holidays can be a hectic time, so don’t get too stressed out if your kids end up spending more time on screens than you would like. Just try to strike a balance and focus on quality over quantity when it comes to screen time.
With the holidays upon us, it can be difficult to find a balance between screen time and quality family time with our kids. However, by following these tips, you can make sure that your family enjoys a healthy mix of both. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can ensure that your holiday season is merry and bright for everyone involved.