Parents have been told to simply limit their children’s screen time.
Set a timer. Two hours maximum. Turn off the tablet before bed. But according to new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), that approach is no longer enough.
The AAP’s comprehensive review, covering hundreds of studies on the effects of digital media over the last 20 years, marks a departure from previous thinking on screen use. The report emphasizes that simply enforcing rigid time limits can backfire, and that parents should focus on the quality and design features of digital platforms rather than just the quantity of screen time.
Dr. Stephanie Chapman, Director of Primary Care Psychology at Texas Children’s Hospital, welcomed the shift in thinking.
“What I really liked about the new policy statement is taking some of the pressure off of parents and saying, yeah, it’s not your job to try and get electronics out of children’s lives. It’s all of our jobs,” she said. “It’s really hard to get electronics out of our children’s lives because we live in this digital ecosystem.”
Rather than obsessing over screen time limits, Chapman recommends parents focus on the type of content their children consume. “Things that are problematic are the scrolling, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube shorts, or things that are hyper-stimulating with flashing lights and action, or things that have algorithms,” she said. “Kids click on a button five times, and suddenly all they’re seeing is eating disorder or body image issues.”
On the other hand, she says using computers for creative activities represents beneficial screen time.
“You’re watching YouTube videos and following their origami folding, or you’re using your iPad to practice filming stop animation, or you’re watching a 20-minute PBS Kids cartoon that has language and character development and academics built in. That kind of media, we want to push back less on and encourage.”
authority in human behavior, leadership
Psychology. Credit: Dr. D. Ivan Young
Dr. D. Ivan Young, a clinical behavioral scientist specializing in neuroscience and emotional intelligence, explains what happens inside children’s brains.
“Companies spend millions of dollars every year designing content algorithms, getting granular all the way down to the colors, the fonts, and the characters to captivate
Dr. D Ivan Young
your child’s attention,”
“Companies spend millions of dollars every year designing content algorithms, getting granular all the way down to the colors, the fonts, and the characters to captivate your child’s attention,” he said. “Every time you look at something that validates your perspective, your belief, or entertains you, you literally experience neurochemical interaction ranging from dopamine to serotonin to getting your adrenaline up to even oxytocin, which is a bonding hormone.”
Parents must lead by example
The report recommended making a greater investment in public resources that give families real alternatives to screens, including libraries, parks, after-school programs, childcare, and community spaces.
“The apple does not fall far from the tree,” Young said. “Parents, in many instances, are not modeling behaviors that suggest intimacy. What kids need more than anything else in order to be well integrated and self-regulated is quality time with a parent.”
He says that children imitate what they see at home. “Children have a relationship with their tablet that is far more attached and in alignment than they have with their parents. Hence, you see children who will throw a hissy fit if you take their tablet away.”
For parents feeling overwhelmed, Chapman recommends starting small.
• Start small by shutting down electronics 30 minutes to one hour before bed and removing them from children’s bedrooms.
• Establish media-free zones in family life, such as during car rides or at meal times, with adults modeling and enforcing this behavior.
• Monitor content intentionally by teaching children proper use of technology and ensuring they are engaged in homework rather than playing games or chatting with untrustworthy individuals.
