| How much screen time is too much for kids? Parents have been advised to limit media consumption of their children, but research suggests it's the nature of it that matters. For many parents in the digital age, battles with their kids over screen time and devices have become a depressing part of family life. Many parents will now be relieved to hear that recent research suggests that it's not so much the length, but the nature of the screen time that matters. Jocelyn Brewer, a psychologist who specializes in the concept of "digital nutrition", likens media diets to what's on our plates: rather than counting calories (or screen time), think about what you're eating. "It's not just about whether you consume any potential digital junk foods, but also your relationship to technology and the role it plays in your family life," says Brewer. For young children, the most important thing is whether parents and kids are playing, watching or browsing together. A study of 20,000 parents published late last year by the Oxford Internet Institute and Cardiff University determined that there was no correlation between limiting device use and children's well-being. The study's lead author Dr Andrew Pryzbylski said: "Our findings suggest the broader family context, how parents set rules about digital screen time, and if they're actively engaged in exploring the digital world together, are more important than the raw screen time." "The consensus is that screen time, in and of itself, is not harmful—and reasonable restrictions vary greatly, depending on a child's behavior and personality. There is little point in worrying about how many minutes a day your kids are spending with screens," says Brewer. "Instead, parents should be doing what they can to ensure that what they're watching, playing and reading is high-quality, age-appropriate and safe—and joining in wherever possible." |