What can we do as parents to reduce screen time?

What can we do as parents to reduce screen time?

There are countless factors such as the home environment, social economic status and school which can negatively impact a child’s development. But one unavoidable fact is that too much screen time is preventing our kids from doing sports, reading, playing outdoors, and being with siblings.

Reducing screen time is one suggestion which does not cost you anything. At the worst, nothing will change although it is difficult to imagine that things might be worse…

A great book to help you actually carry out this is Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Dr. Victoria Dunckley. She recommends that parents implement a strict electronic ‘fast’ just for a few weeks. There can be a dramatic improvement in sleep quality, mood, focus and behavior.

The book is full of practical suggestions on how to do this. The rewards are well worth the initial effort and struggle.

What might happen with no limits?

This family discovered the importance of setting screen time boundaries when they made a screen time experiment with their kids.

One of the best things to do though: simply go outside to play, every day, and whenever possible!