Ahhh … the days are longer and spring is officially here! Neighborhoods are hopping with activity as families spend more time outside after school and work. It also seems that more people have a bit of spring in their step! This is a great time for all ages to breathe in fresh air, interact with others, and reduce screen time. That includes us parents! Set aside time to put away phones, video games, tv shows, iPads, or whatever digital device is keeping you and your kids from being present in the moment.
It is interesting to see how attached we get to digital devices or being entertained by electronics. It becomes a habit: one that can have a negative impact. A Pew Research Center study found that 95% of teens have access to a smartphone. Statistics show that teens spend an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes on screens daily, and half of that time is on apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Spring forward to 1 year from now: that’s approximately 3,100 hours … 186,150 minutes. This equates to about 129 days in a year! Can you imagine if we set goals to reduce our screen time by half and what we could do with that time? And we teach our kids to do the same for reasons that are impactful to their overall well-being.
According to a 2023 report from the U.S. Surgeon general in a 2023, frequent social media has potential to harm the mental health of children and adolescents. Parts of the brain indicated changes related to emotions and learning. Social media usage also affected impulse control, social behavior, and emotional regulation.
Tips To Reduce Screen Time
- Set Clear Limits – Use tools or apps to set daily screen time limits and stick to a routine.
- Create Screen-Free Zones – Designate places like the dinner table or bedrooms as screen-free areas.
- Model Healthy Habits – Kids are more likely to follow your lead, so limit your own screen time too.
- Offer Engaging Alternatives – Keep books, crafts, puzzles, or outdoor activities easily accessible.
- Use Screen Time as a Reward – Let screen time be something earned after getting other things done, like chores, homework, or active play.
All of this information helps make parents more aware of the negative impacts of screen time. Hopefully we take it in and strive to reduce screen time and gain back at least 65 days over the next year for more positive activities. This is the perfect time to spring into action!
