By Dr. Angela Houchin
University of Kentucky
Summer is in full swing, but for many kids, the excitement of no school has already been tempered by their greatest nemesis: boredom.
Camps, vacations and trips to visit family are classic summer pastimes, but they don’t take up every hour of every day; kids are turning to their TVs, tablets, phones and gaming devices to fill the void. While screens are part of everyday life and can help kids learn, connect and have fun, too much screen time can lead to such problems as sleep disturbance, behavior issues, and exposure to inappropriate content.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommendations for how families can implement a thoughtful, balanced approach for screentime, every family is different. Use the tips below to develop a media plan that works for your family.
Age is a factor. For older kids, set consistent limits to ensure that screen time isn’t replacing sleep, exercise, or in-person interactions. For kids under five, limit screen time to about an hour of quality, age-appropriate programming and always watch it with them. For babies, except for occasionally video chatting with friends and family, avoid screens altogether.
Consider the content. Not all media is equal. Educational content and creative games can help kids learn and grow. But fast-moving or violent shows, or apps with ads and in-app purchases, may not be healthy. Choose high-quality content that fits your child’s age and helps them learn or be creative.
Make it a family affair. Kids tend to mimic the behavior and habits that their parents exhibit so be a good role model. If you’re on your phone for hours each day, they will be too. Talk to your child about what they’re playing or watching and try to find a way to turn it into a real-world activity. Designate a time of day to be screen-free or replace solo screen time with family movie night.
Start a conversation. Use screen time as a way to teach and connect. Ask questions like, “Do you think that could happen in real life?” or “What would you do in that situation?” Co-viewing and talking about what you saw help children understand and become smart, thoughtful media users.
Let them be bored. Letting kids experience boredom is a positive thing. During bored times, they become creative and invent ways to entertain themselves. This fosters independence, problem-solving skills and an opportunity to discover new interests. Playing a video game might be a short-term solution but learning how to manage unstructured time is an essential skill that will be stunted if they aren’t allowed to be bored.
By creating healthy screen habits and encouraging a balance of digital and real-world experiences, families can make the most of summer downtime. A little planning, a lot of conversation, and room for creativity can help kids build lifelong skills – and maybe even make some unforgettable summer memories along the way.
Angela Houchin, M.D., is a pediatrician at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.