By: Collett Smart

Nature is known to provide cognitive benefits and enhance our overall physical and mental wellbeing. Yet, for some tweens, spending too much time on technology, sees them not getting enough exercise or spending enough time outdoors. So how do we help our young people create a healthy screen time balance? 

How much screen time is too much?

That is the question I get asked at every seminar I run.

The answer: “It depends!”

There is no easy answer to how much time your child should be allowed with technology, because not all screentime is equal. Psychologist Jocelyn Brewer, who I mention in ‘They’ll be Okay’, developed the concept of ‘Digital Nutrition’. She reframes ‘screen time balance’ as, ‘Digital Nutrition’, This is what she has to say:

“Imagine that apps and games came with nutritional labels to help us understand their impacts. Imagine we considered the way we consume digital content the way we have learned to consider food and it impacts on our wellbeing.  Imagine that we understood the ‘virtual vitamins’ contained in the activities we engage with online and made choices from a more informed perspective.”

So instead of banning screen time, we need to help our young people to critically consider their screen content, as well as to engage in healthy, enjoyable physical activities.

Start by setting a clear screen time plan

Include structure around when and for how long your tween and teens can use entertainment media, such as online games and movies, as well as social media. Also, add suggestions for offline activities. Your plan should also include consideration for controlled access by a parent for younger teens, age restrictions for games and movies, as well as natural consequences for overstepping the boundaries.

Some boundaries might include:

1. A balance of screentime and ‘green time’ (literally seeing nature) activities. For example, perhaps encourage tweens to spend one hour outside after a one-hour session on a screen (in the garden, at a park, kicking a ball, jumping on a trampoline).
2. Thinking about healthy online places to hang out.
3. Non-screen entertainment options (board games, reading a book, playing an instrument, dancing, cuddling pets, art, swimming…).
4. Developing a mix of face-to-face socialising opportunities (at sport, music lessons, youth group, scouts, family dinners etc…).
5. A list of daily physical activity. It is recommended that teens aged 13–17 years engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day, irrespective of cultural background, gender, socioeconomic status, and ability.
6. Devices need to be in a shared visible place in the home, and ensure that all technology (including your teen’s phone) is out of bedrooms at night (this is a VITAL part of healthy tech habits).
7. Agreed bedtimes per age, with screens switched off around one to two hours before bed (to calm overstimulated brains).
8. What to do if something disturbing or inappropriate for tweens and teens pops up on (or gets sent to) their devices (HINT: Tell them you will not ban the device. Verbalise how proud you are that they came to talk with you about it.)
9. How parents will model healthy screentime habits.

One last thought

Get your tweens and teens involved in creating the (above) list, as soon as they get their own devices (phone, iPad, laptop, Xbox etc…)   Tweens are often more inclined to stick to a plan they feel they were part of creating. Of course, you are the parent, and so some things will be non-negotiable. Put this up as a tangible list on the fridge if your child needs reminding.

Article supplied with thanks to Raising Teenagers

About the Author: Collett Smart is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker and internationally published author. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Sydney, Australia. The heart of Collett’s work is to support and bring Hope to parents of tweens and teens.

Feature image: Photo by Sam Pak on Unsplash