Screen time has become the number one source of arguments in many households, according to one parent who has learned to put her foot down. A new scientific study has revealed that excessive screen time appears to stunt the language skills of children.
Led by academics at the University of Calgary in Canada, the study found links between gaming, social media use, and streaming for longer periods were associated with poorer school grades and worse language development in kids. Mental health was also affected, with children experiencing emotional problems and issues within friendship groups.
Parental Regret and Early Access
Sally McLean, Head of Lifestyle, Trends and Showbiz, admits she probably gave in too early and allowed her two daughters, aged 14 and 11, access to devices. Peer pressure and fear of them missing out on friendship chats were the main reasons they started with a tablet, and before long, both had persuaded their parents they needed a phone.
Phones were part of their lives by P6, which was too early in hindsight. McLean says they were weak and convinced themselves screen time would be strictly controlled. She does not believe in screen-free childhoods either, acknowledging that technology is not going away and children need to be proficient in it.
Balancing Benefits and Drawbacks
There are pros and cons to device use. McLean loves the fact her daughters can contact her at any time now that they are branching out and getting public transport to meet friends. Tracking apps such as Life 360 are described as a godsend.
However, the amount of time spent on phones and tablets is the number one source of arguments in her house. Much of her children's lives are wrapped up in speaking to pals this way, and even school work needs to be accessed digitally. Group chats can turn sinister when children are turned on by peers, leading to a relentless onslaught of comments even at home, which impacts their emotional wellbeing.
Strategies for Limiting Screen Time
McLean has implemented strict rules on school nights for her youngest daughter. Devices are no longer charged in her room overnight, as she was drawn to them when it should have been time for bed. She has seen her daughter's sleep improve since making this change.
Bad behaviour is no longer dealt with by threatening to take devices away. McLean actually does it, regularly telling her daughter to put the phone down and inviting her to do something else. The child is slowly starting to recognise the benefits of forgetting about her devices for a couple of hours.
Balancing childhood with screen time is a constant battle, but it is an issue that isn't going away. It's time for parents to actually parent and protect their kids from the damaging effects right now.
