Screen time for tots: Is it all bad?

Today’s TV and online programming is bustling with tot-centric superstars, from Miss Rachel to Daniel the Tiger. And while some seem to creatively teach valuable life lessons, experts still steer parents away from defaulting to a device.

Statistics have shown that too much screen time can lead to a myriad of health problems, including:

• Obesity

• Irregular sleep

• Behavioral problems

• Trouble in school

• Violent tendencies

• Reduced play

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, media should be extremely limited for kids under 2, and the experience should be interactively shared with a parent or caregiver. After that, and up to age 5, kids should watch no more than an hour of media a day with a parent or caregiver. What's more, the programming should be very “high quality.”

But what defines high quality?

Dr. Ahmad Bailony, a pediatrician affiliated with Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, says it’s less about the show itself, and more about how you use it.

“Yes, there are shows that have more beneficial elements than others,” he says. “Something like ‘CoComelon’ uses short scenes, whereas ‘Bluey’ presents longer scenarios that encourage kids to focus. But at the end of the day, any TV should be more of a supplement. Nothing can ever replace the human connection a kid forms when they’re learning from a parent.”

Supplementing learning through media

According to Dr. Bailony, it’s tough for kids under 2 to relate what they see on a screen to what's happening in the world around them. As a tot's brain matures, they can better make the connection. Interactively watching media with your child can be both a bonding experience and a way to help them grow.

Some ways to make this happen include:

Go easy on media use … and yourself

As every parent knows, the temptation to hand over the remote and take a parenting break can, at times, be overwhelming. According to Dr. Bailony, that’s OK.

“It’s easy to feel like a failure if you use a screen as a crutch once in a while,” he says. “Just make sure you are always planning out some time to set aside that is device-free. These things are all about balance.”

To ensure media is not becoming a dominant factor, carve out time for child-led play. By keeping things free-flowing, and letting your child take the lead, you get a chance to build a powerful connection, and see what their tiny minds come up with.

“When spending quality screen-free time with your child, be sure to turn your own device off for a while,” says Dr. Bailony. “It’s healthy for the both of you, and you’ll soon discover how precious that time can be.”

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