AAP releases new screen-time recommendations
Amidst your scrambles to get home and get kids into costumes or get ready for an onslaught of ringing doorbells, I hope you can find a little time to check out the American Academy of Pediatrics new recommendations on screen time if you haven’t already. The full original policy statement is here and a thoughtful article by CNN is here.
There are those who think the new guidelines are still a bit unrealistic and not particularly in line with all of the available research. Regardless, the change is at least somewhat better based on how a lot of parents currently govern screen time. Screen time is nearly unavoidable given the extent to which screens are now a fixture in nearly all aspects of our daily lives.
My personal recommendations to parents have little to do with total time and more to do with what you give them and how you give it to them. I would make sure whatever you give them is high quality, actually based in research, and developed with the help of child experts. Especially with young children, try to watch or play along with them. And interact with your child where you can, just as you might if you were reading a book together before bed. Finally, don’t feel too guilty about periodically putting a screen in front of your child to get the laundry done or cook a meal... you definitely aren’t alone and feeling guilty doesn’t do anyone any good.
My biggest advice is actually less about screen time for kids and more about parents logging themselves out of their own devices. Don’t check that Facebook alert or respond to your text messages when you’re playing. Try not to always have your device out. Whatever activities you choose to do, try to be in the moment with your child. I am sure they will get more out of it and I suspect that you’ll also enjoy it more!
Have a happy Halloween!
Dr. Brian
SmartyPal Director of Learning Sciences













