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Help! My Brain Is Shrinking: Screen Time Sense

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Help! My Brain Is Shrinking: Screen Time Sense

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An age-appropriate guide that explains how screen time affects the brain and provides tips for maintaining healthy tech habits.

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A comprehensive look at what it means to grow up surrounded by technology, with practical advice for staying safe and healthy online.

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An informative article explaining age-appropriate screen time limits and recommendations for children.

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How Much Screen Time Is OK for My Kids? - Learn more and get Common Sense Media’s research-backed tips.

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How to Balance Screen Time and Green Time

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How to Balance Screen Time and Green Time

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An engaging article that explores the importance of balancing technology use with outdoor activities.

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No doubt it's many of you. Handing over a device is sometimes simply the easiest option - but it might make you feel a little guilty.

Screen time has been reported to impact kids emotionally, cognitively and even physically, which can feel scary. But should screen time for kids always be seen as a bad thing? And what alternatives are there? We investigate...

Screen time for kids

Most kids today are surrounded by screens wherever they go. Whether it's watching TV at home, using computers at school or picking up smartphones and tablets, there are so many ways for kids to access screens.

Many parents, schools and health professionals are concerned about the amount of time kids spend on screens. That said, we need only reflect on the huge role screens played during the pandemic, delivering education to kids remotely across the British Isles - and the world - to see how screen time can play a positive role in engaging, educating and inspiring kids.

Later in the article, you'll read about some easy alternatives to screen time. But we'd like to highlight one we think is particularly great - a subscription to National Geographic Kids magazine! Every issue is packed with fun, informative articles and awe-inspiring photos to engage even the most reluctant readers, inspiring a lifelong love for reading.

Screen time benefits

- The internet can be a fountain of knowledge for kids to responsibly explore and absorb.

- Using digital devices improves visual intelligence and hand-eye coordination.

- Digital games and activities can build teamwork skills, puzzle-solving and creativity.

- Technology can nurture social connections, especially for kids who struggle to make friends or have communication challenges.

- Kids who have access to a computer at home tend to perform better academically than those who don't.

Screen time negatives

- The blue light emitted from screens can affect sleep patterns.

- Kids tend to spend time inactive and indoors while using screens.

- Screen-based activities increase central nervous system arousal, which can heighten anxiety.

- Some studies have shown younger generations to be more forgetful than older ones, as outsourcing things to remember to digital spaces has become habitual.

- There is a risk of exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation or meeting strangers online.

Should you limit screen time?

Truthfully, the full effects of screen time for kids are still being debated - but many experts, schools and health bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), recommend limiting screen time for kids.

Others take a more balanced view, stating that a certain level of screen time can be beneficial for kids, and that parents' focus is better spent on what kids are engaging with on screens rather than how often. In fact, according to research conducted by Oxford University with over 20,000 parents, screen time limits may have nothing to do with a young child's ability to thrive.

The research proposed that worried parents should follow the 'Goldilocks Theory' - which suggests there is a point between low and high technology use that is 'just right' for kids - and work on creating a healthy balance.

Screen time alternatives

Reading

A much more relaxing way to consume entertainment and storytelling is through literature! Fact books, kids' fiction and of course magazines, like Nat Geo Kids, are a great way to keep kids entertained, but also help them to relax and wind down - especially before bed.

Board games

Board games and puzzles are not only fantastic family fun, but they're also great for kids' brains, too. They stimulate areas of the brain responsible for strategy, creativity, patience and memory!

Crafts

Kids love hands-on projects that give them a creative outlet. Crafting gives them a sense of achievement and freedom to experiment (and provides you with some questionable 'artwork' for your fridge!).

Try out our eco-friendly slime recipe! This easy craft will provide heaps of family fun, and it doesn't hurt the planet.

Outdoor play

Outdoor play is important for physical fitness, and it's been proven to benefit kids' mental wellbeing, too! Getting outdoors needn't be rigorously planned - from detouring through a local green space on the school run, to conducting a bug safari in your garden, every bit of time outdoors helps kids engage with the outside world. ( And it might help your family communicate better, too!)

Collecting

Collecting is a timeless hobby that helps kids to nurture their passions, increase their knowledge and engage their curiosity. It's also great for teaching kids to care for their possessions by keeping them neat, tidy and organised.

Building

Constructive play nurtures kids' creativity as well as developing motor skills and problem-solving skills. Best of all, building toys are incredibly durable and universal in appeal - providing you with years and years of fun!

Baking

Aside from the obvious benefit of having something tasty to tuck into afterwards, baking is a relaxing and educational activity for kids, allowing them to get creative, experiment with flavours, learn about healthy eating, and even learn new words and measures from recipes. If you've never baked before, why not resolve to give it a try as a family?

Podcasts

Okay so slight cheat here, because technically, listening to a podcast does often involve a short amount of screen time while you get the podcast started (unless you listen through a smart speaker) - but once playing, podcasts are an audio-only experience that can be great for kids!

From educational to storytelling, they're a screen-free way to consume entertainment media while increasing learning and language skills. Plus, you can listen practically anywhere, making them a great tablet alternative for car journeys, especially if your kids suffer from travel sickness!

Look out for more fantastic screen-free ways to get your kids playing and learning, in the free National Geographic Kids' newsletter. Sign up now to receive emails full of fun activities, good news stories and more!

How do you manage screen time for kids?
Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Screen time for kids: advice & alternatives | Parents | Nat Geo Kids

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Many parents worry about the amount of time their kids spend using screens. But should you limit screen time? And what are the alternatives?

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Digital Citizenship: Your Digital Footprint

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Digital Citizenship: Your Digital Footprint

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An educational article explaining what a digital footprint is and how to maintain a positive online presence.

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Developing these essential literacy skills is the foundation to student success.

It strengthens their ability to think critically, launching kids into a future where they're able to curate, consume, and analyze information online and in the real world.

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Supplement your digital citizenship instruction with BrainPOP's timely content, tools, and resources.

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The Effects of Screen Time on Kids' Eyes

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The Effects of Screen Time on Kids' Eyes

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A helpful resource about protecting children's eye health while using digital devices.

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smartphone ownership among teens has expanded dramatically over the past six years increasing from 41% in 2012 to almost 90% in 2018 recent research shows that technology negatively impacts learning concentration and the social and emotional development of youth excessive time immersed in technology often contributes to increases in anger and isolation as well as anxiety and depressive disorders on the positive side the latest research indicates that technology can be a useful learning tool and that a limited amount of smartphone use has become an important part of adolescent socialization as technology becomes an integral part of the human experience it's important to remember that too much screen time has a significant negative impact on the overall health and wellness of children and teens here are a few tips for how to best navigate this new parenting landscape turn off all technology at least one hour before bedtime to help promote sleep the light from the screens decreases the brain's production of melatonin which tells us it's time for sleep do not let children sleep with a smartphone or a tablet in their room designate specific times for device use and have everyone in the family honor those times that are designated as tech free keep computers smartphones and tablets and family spaces this practice will keep children from isolating in their rooms and will allow for parents to keep an active eye on their child's online activity most importantly model for your children a balanced relationship with your own technology after all there's no better way for children to learn than by watching their parents you

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Line One: Your Health Connection | Screen Time Limits for Children and Teens

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Screen Time Limits for Children and Teens | Line One: Your Health Connection

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Practical advice for families on managing screen time and creating healthy tech habits.

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Helpful Hints as You Raise Connected Kids

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Managing the new wave of technology in your child’s life relies on good old-fashioned parenting.

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An informative article about staying safe while using technology and the internet.

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The Internet can be wonderful for kids. They can use it to research school reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games.

But online access also comes with risks, like inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Using social media apps and websites where kids interact, predators may pose as a child or teen looking to make a new friend. They might prod the child to exchange personal information, such as address and phone number, or encourage kids to call them, seeing their phone number via caller ID.

Parents should be aware of what their kids see and hear online, who they meet, and what they share about themselves. Talk with your kids, use tools to protect them, and keep an eye on their activities.

Internet Safety Laws

A federal law, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) helps protect kids younger than 13 when they're online. It's designed to keep anyone from getting a child's personal information without a parent knowing about it and agreeing to it first.

COPPA requires websites to explain their privacy policies and get parental consent before collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. The law also prohibits a site from requiring a child to provide more personal information than necessary to play a game or enter a contest.

Online Protection Tools

Online tools let you control your kids' access to adult material and help protect them from Internet predators. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) provide parent-control options. You can also get software that helps block access to sites and restricts personal information from being sent online. Other programs can monitor and track online activity.

Getting Involved in Kids' Online Activities

More important than blocking objectionable material is teaching your kids safe and responsible online behavior, and keeping an eye on their Internet use.

Basic guidelines to share with your kids for safe online use:

Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service provider.

Never post or trade personal pictures.

Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location.

Use only a screen name and don't share passwords (other than with parents).

Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or supervision.

Never respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text.

Always tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication or conversation that was scary or hurtful.

Basic guidelines for parental supervision:

Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.

Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor its use, not in individual bedrooms. Monitor any time spent on smartphones or tablets.

Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.

Check your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.

Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where kids could use a computer without your supervision.

Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.

If you're aware of the sending, use, or viewing of child pornography online, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 or go online to their CyberTipline. They'll make sure the info is forwarded to law enforcement officials for investigation. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.

Watch for warning signs of a child being targeted by an online predator. These can include:

spending long hours online, especially at night

phone calls from people you don't know

unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail

your child suddenly turning off the computer or other device when you walk into the room

withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities

Talk to your kids! Keep an open line of communication and make sure that they feel comfortable turning to you when they have problems online.

The Internet and Teens

As kids get older, it gets a little trickier to monitor their time spent online. They may carry a smartphone with them at all times. They probably want - and need - some privacy. This is healthy and normal, as they're becoming more independent from their parents. The Internet can provide a safe "virtual" environment for exploring some newfound freedom if precautions are taken.

Talk about the sites and apps teens use and their online experiences. Discuss the dangers of interacting with strangers online and remind them that people online don't always tell the truth. Explain that passwords are there to protect against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend.

Taking an active role in your kids' online activities helps ensure that they benefit from them without being exposed to the potential dangers.

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The Internet is a wonderful resource, but access to it has its hazards for kids. Here's how to make sure your kids go online safely.