What is screen time?

[Anonymous]

Does that mean ipads/tablets/computers? Or does that include TV watching as well? Just asking since I see people reference it all the time and am always confused.

[Anonymous]

Anything on a screen. TV, ipad, tablet, computer.

[Anonymous]

everything that you included

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does that mean ipads/tablets/computers? Or does that include TV watching as well? Just asking since I see people reference it all the time and am always confused.

yes... and movie theaters, smart phones, smart watches, electric billboards, tv screens at select gas station pumps, crosswalk signs, car back up cameras

[Anonymous]

I've always been confused by this, too.

Also - is it 'active watching' or does it count as screen time if DD is playing with toys and I'm watching an old episode of Golden Girls, but she happens to be in the room with me?

[Anonymous]

Anything on the screen that is actively engaging the kid. We don't do background tv so I don't know how to treat that though.

[Anonymous]

Background TV has been shown in studies to affect the time and “depth” with which children play with their toys (and specifically noted that parents in the room thought it had no effect/didn’t register it, but were mistaken). So, yes, it has an effect of some kind. I don’t think most parents “count” it, though. IMO what you count as screen time or as problematic screen time is up to you and your goals, if your goals include limiting it— but should be based on WHY you might want to limit it (or not) and not on some blanket idea of “screen time is bad” or whatever. That is unhelpful at best.