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Screen Time Awareness for Parents: A FAQ Guide

 

Introduction
Excessive screen time can have negative impacts on children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. As parents, it’s important to understand how to manage screen time effectively. This FAQ guide, will provide parents with age-appropriate information and tips to create a healthy balance between screen time and other important activities.

 

For Parents of Younger Children Including Lower Primary School

1. How much screen time is recommended for my younger child?

• Ages 2-5: It is recommended limiting screen time to 1 hour per day of high-quality content, ideally with a parent or caregiver involved.
• Ages 6 and older: It is recommended that screen time should not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or family time, and should be balanced with other activities.

2. What are the effects of too much screen time on younger children?

• Disrupted sleep patterns: Excessive screen time before bed can interfere with sleep due to blue light exposure.
• Reduced attention span: According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), too much screen time can impair focus and concentration in young children.
• Increased risk of obesity: Sedentary behaviour from excessive screen use is linked to obesity.
• Delayed language development: Research indicates that too much screen time can limit face-to-face communication, potentially affecting language and social skill development.

3. How can I encourage my child to do other activities instead of screen time?

• Set clear boundaries: Create a balanced routine that includes outdoor play, reading, and other non-screen activities.
• Be a role model: Engage in screen-free activities yourself, such as board games, cooking, or outdoor walks.
• Family involvement: Encourage family activities that don’t involve screens, like baking together or playing a game outside.
• Reward non-screen activities: offer rewards (e.g., extra screen time) for non-screen activities to encourage balance.

4. How can I make screen time educational?

• Choose age-appropriate, educational apps that focus on learning topics such as math, reading, or science.
• Select interactive videos or games that engage your child in problem-solving or creativity.
• Co-viewing: Watching educational content together and discussing it to ensure it’s beneficial.

5. My child seems obsessed with a screen-based activity, like gaming. What can I do?

• Set clear limits: Set time limits and monitor usage.
• Use a timer: Implementing a timer can help signal when screen time is over.
• Offer alternative activities: Encourage outdoor play, art projects, or reading as alternatives.
• Emphasise balance: Remind your child of the importance of a balanced routine for healthy growth.

 

For Parents of Upper Primary School Age

1. How much screen time should my child have?

• No more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time, ensuring that screen use doesn’t replace physical activity, homework, or sleep.
• Screen time should complement educational activities like homework or online learning.

2. What are the risks of too much screen time?

• Sleep problems: Blue light emitted from screens affects the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. It is advised to remove screen use at least 1 hour before bedtime to improve sleep.
• Reduced physical activity: There are links between excessive screen time with an increased risk of childhood obesity due to sedentary behaviour, which can lead to long term health effects.
• Social isolation: Too much screen time can limit face-to-face interactions, potentially impacting social skills.

3. What activities can replace screen time?

• Encourage activities like outdoor sports, arts and crafts, or family board games.
• Introduce hobbies like reading, puzzles, or playing a musical instrument.
• Promote creativity through drawing, painting, or building with LEGO.
• Any activity that keep your child engaged and stimulated without the use of a screen.

4. How can I set boundaries without conflict?

• Gradual reduction: Start by gradually reducing screen time and ensuring the rules are clear and consistent.
• Set specific times for screen use (e.g., after homework or chores).
• Involve your child: Involving your child in setting screen time rules can increase their compliance.

5. Should screens be banned completely?

No, the goal is to encourage healthy, balanced use of screens. The aim is not to eliminate screens but to find a balance that supports both educational and recreational use without compromising other activities.

 

For Parents of Teenagers/Secondary School

1. How much screen time should my teenager have?

• No more than 2 hours per day for recreational screen time is recommended.
• Educational screen time related to schoolwork or extracurricular activities is not included in this limit, but it should still be balanced with physical activity and sufficient sleep.

2. What are the risks of excessive screen time for teens?

• Sleep disruption: Using screens late at night, especially social media, can interfere with sleep quality.
• Mental health risks: Heavy social media use can lead to increased anxiety or depression among teenagers, especially due to cyberbullying or social comparison.
• Academic impact: Excessive screen time can interfere with homework and study time, leading to poorer academic performance.
• Physical health: Teenagers who spend more time on screens tend to be less active, increasing their risk of obesity and other health issues.

3. How can I set boundaries with my teenager around screen time?

• Open conversations: Discuss the effects of excessive screen time, such as sleep issues or stress, and listen to their perspective.
• Co-create rules: Set screen time limits together, especially for meal times, study times, and bedtime.
• Use screen time management apps: Tools like Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link can help track and limit usage.

4. How can I help my teenager balance social media use?

• Set clear expectations: Discuss healthy social media usage and set limits on how much time they spend on different social media platforms.
• Promote offline activities: Encourage your teen to spend time with friends in person, which can strengthen their relationships and social skills.
• Monitor mental health: Be aware of changes in your teen’s mood or behaviour that could be linked to excessive social media use, and seek professional support if needed. (see resource page for more information)

5. How can I help my teen use screens productively?

• Encourage educational apps: Introduce apps for learning new skills, such as coding or creative design.
• Foster creativity: Recommend apps for music production, video editing, or art creation to channel screen use into creative outlets.
• Productivity tools: Introduce your teen to apps that help with time management and study organisation.

 

General Tips for Managing Screen Time Across All Age Groups

1. Set Screen-Free Zones: Designate areas such as the dining room and bedrooms as screen-free to encourage family interaction and improve sleep hygiene.
2. Model Healthy Behaviour: Show your child how to balance screen time with other activities like exercise, sleep, and family time.
3. Use Technology to Monitor: Take advantage of parental controls and screen time management features on devices to track usage and enforce boundaries.
4. Encourage Outdoor Activities: Promote regular outdoor play or physical activities to balance sedentary screen time and improve overall health.
5. Create a Screen Time Schedule: Develop a daily routine that includes dedicated time for screen use, but also ensures enough time for exercise, study, and family interactions.

Screen Time Awareness Resources for Parents and Families

1. Smartphone-Free Gibraltar
   https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/
2. UEFA Take Care: Screen Addiction Resources
   https://www.uefa.com/takecare/
3. Children’s Commissioner for England
   https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
4. Cultural Services Organisations
   https://www.culture.gi/organisations/
5. Gibraltar Schools and Leisure Activities (GSLA) Sports Directory
   https://www.gsla.gi/sports-leisure-directory/
6. Gibraltar Scouting Association
   https://scouts.org.gi/
7. Girlguiding Gibraltar
   https://www.facebook.com/p/Girlguiding-Gibraltar-100064927710384/
8. Childline – 8008
9. Teenline – 8009
10. Gibsams – 116123