Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were in first, they basically had unlimited screen time. I think screens are just another form of media and that what matters is the content. While there is definitely some dangerous content online that kids need to be protected from, and a lot of junky fluff, screens also offer some amazing opportunities to open the world to kids.

While the only limitations on time were that they had to take care of their responsibilities (homework, chores, etc.), I did control content. This was before tablets and iPads, so the TV and computer were in central locations. We (often, but not always, as a family) watched a lot of PBS Kids and kids movies. It was common to have the TV on in the background while they snacked, played, etc. They had a binder of computer games and occasionally I would do something on the Internet with them.

On the other hand, they still participated in after-school activities, frequently played in the school playground before coming home or in the backyard at home, did crafts and puzzles, played games and with toys, read a LOT both individually and together as a family activity, went on outings, were excellent students, etc.

Screen parenting then and now are totally different animals.

I haven’t time limited my youngest, but I model not being glued to the screen and doing other things. So far he self regulates pretty well. We have family rules about no screens at the table and stuff like that. I also keep a list of “things to look up” because I found screens snuck in with the immediacy of getting an answer. Once a day we’ll review the list and sort into we have a book for that, let’s find it at the library, and let’s look tonight. I think screen time rules can be pretty variable but the common element in success is modeling use of and having lots of alternatives.

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were in first, they basically had unlimited screen time. I think screens are just another form of media and that what matters is the content. While there is definitely some dangerous content online that kids need to be protected from, and a lot of junky fluff, screens also offer some amazing opportunities to open the world to kids.

While the only limitations on time were that they had to take care of their responsibilities (homework, chores, etc.), I did control content. This was before tablets and iPads, so the TV and computer were in central locations. We (often, but not always, as a family) watched a lot of PBS Kids and kids movies. It was common to have the TV on in the background while they snacked, played, etc. They had a binder of computer games and occasionally I would do something on the Internet with them.

On the other hand, they still participated in after-school activities, frequently played in the school playground before coming home or in the backyard at home, did crafts and puzzles, played games and with toys, read a LOT both individually and together as a family activity, went on outings, were excellent students, etc.

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were in first, they basically had unlimited screen time. I think screens are just another form of media and that what matters is the content. While there is definitely some dangerous content online that kids need to be protected from, and a lot of junky fluff, screens also offer some amazing opportunities to open the world to kids.

While the only limitations on time were that they had to take care of their responsibilities (homework, chores, etc.), I did control content. This was before tablets and iPads, so the TV and computer were in central locations. We (often, but not always, as a family) watched a lot of PBS Kids and kids movies. It was common to have the TV on in the background while they snacked, played, etc. They had a binder of computer games and occasionally I would do something on the Internet with them.

On the other hand, they still participated in after-school activities, frequently played in the school playground before coming home or in the backyard at home, did crafts and puzzles, played games and with toys, read a LOT both individually and together as a family activity, went on outings, were excellent students, etc.