Managing Screen Time During the Pandemic

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I'll admit it.  I've slipped and with all the time now spent at home, I have let my boys play video games and watch TV more than normal.  That is until Friday when I received an email from Melanie Hempe and Screen Strong.  Remember her?  Union Academy invited her at the beginning of the school year to speak about the danger of video games and technology on the developing child and teenage brain. She shared with us the science of brain development:
As your child's brain develops into an adult brain, unused connections (or neuropathways) are pruned away and frequently used connections are strengthened. Therefore how your child uses his or her brain is crucial during this time of development.  The activities your child participates in (music, sports, reading, technology, languages) will shape the brain they take into adult hood. 

Mrs. Hempe also shared with us the danger of technology on brain development:
Video games and social media platforms are specifically designed to be addictive  and to keep the user watching/playing. By spending hours on technology, our kids are being robbed of time for building the neuro-pathways needed for in-person social skills, physical development, and creativity.

So, this past week, when I received her email, I was reminded of my responsibility to keep my kids safe and to create the best environment for developing a healthy and productive adult brain.  Mrs. Hempe shared on her website tips for avoiding a "screen crisis" during the coronavirus.  Here are a few ideas that really hit home for me, but check out her full article for more:

• Choose educational TV shows over interactive games and social media. All screens are not created equal.  Remember that social media and video games are designed to be addictive and make you want to keep watching/playing.  They are scientifically designed to grab and hold attention.  Also be careful with Youtube, as there are no set start and stop to the videos which can keep kids watching for hours.
• Schedule Purposeful Activities. Kids turn to games, social media, or TV when they are bored. As the parent, it is up to you to fill the time with activities that prevent boredom.  Reading, exercise, games, cooking, and crafts are easy activities that can help remedy boredom and also strengthen brain connections that lead to overall better mental health. This is a great time to teach life skills (laundry, yard work) and new hobbies (music, chess, art, sports).
•  Check your parental controls. Every device is different (TVs, phones, tablets) and usually larger screens (TVs) are safer than smaller devices. Only allow use of technology in "public" places in your home- not in bedrooms or places with closed doors.

So this week, I've cut back on my boys's video game and youtube time.  We've played Crazy 8s, Left-Right-Center, Skip-Bo, and soccer.  We've continued cooking lessons and have started baking for neighbors.  We've laughed and "played" together more in the past five days than since school was called off back in March. Maybe this article and the one from Mrs. Hempe will encourage you to do the same. When our kids look back at this time in their lives, hopefully they will remember time spent together and it won't be a blur of scrolling social media or the fog of gaming.