Screen Time

As winter draws in there can be a tendency to replace outside fresh air time with more screen time. The shorter days bring children inside looking for entertainment and gaming or screen time often increases. Many people write about appropriate levels of screen time, how to manage social media, and how to approach internet safety. At Coe we recommend your family talks openly with your children about what a healthy amount of screen time means to you. It can be beneficial to make a screen time plan together because it increases buy-in and often prevents arguments in the future. Here are a few questions to consider as a family to help you plan:

• How much screen time do we think is appropriate each day? Can all members of the family come to an agreement? It might include compromise!

• What screen time do we enjoy? List all inc. video games, TV, movies, computer work, computer research/shopping, scrolling social media on a phone/tablet.

• Who do we enjoy the screen time with? Having a social connection through screen time has benefits e.g. watching a family movie night is very different to scrolling TikTok alone in a bedroom, or playing video games with strangers online versus playing with friends.

• Should we have certain times we have screen time? Do we want limits on what we can do when?  please note, it helps sleep if screens are off at least 1 hour before bed, ideally 2 hours)

• Are there any screen time or specific apps/games/social media we do not want our family using? Or any apps/games/social media that we want to only introduce at a certain age?

• What time should screens be turned on in the morning and off at night? Are there any other times of day we don’t want to have screens around? Should there be different rules for weekends?

• If you are finding it hard to stop screen time, what would help you? This question can be insightful to ask your children in a calm moment.

• How can we (parents/caregivers and kids) make sure we stick to our screen time plan?

• What do we love to do as a family that doesn’t include screens?

5 Minute Read

Screen Time

• Screen time and children: How to guide your child by Mayo Clinic

• Screen time and technology: Setting limits helps kids learn to use screens in a healthy way, with age specific recommentations 

Social Media

• When are kids ready for social media? This article by Child Mind Institute is a thorough guide to making social media decisions for your family.

“My Kid Doesn’t Use Social Media.” Yes, they do. If your kid uses YouTube or Roblox, they’re using social media. Blog article by Emily Cherkin

At home you might like to explore more of Committee for Children’s resources for bullying prevention and the important work of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center who provide advice and resources for parents. Your students might enjoy the Captain Compassion comic series or enjoy reading books from this booklist and talking with you further about preventing bullying at school and in our community.

Webinar

Building Relationship vs. Demanding Compliance – A Tech-Intentional Webinar for Parents by Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant. Pre-recorded to watch here when convenient for your family.

Further Reading:

The Screentime Solution – A Judgement-free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family by Emily Cherkin

If these resources prompt any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our School Counselor, Sarah Waymouth (Ms. Sarah) – sswaymouth@seattleschools.org.