Keeping Media in Mind: Understanding What “Too Much Screen Time” Means for Our Children

Keeping Media in Mind: Understanding What “Too Much Screen Time” Means for Our Children Presented by Dana E. Friedman, Ed.D. President The Early Years Institute at the Smart Start Conference May 4, 2011

The Pace of Technological Change is Dizzying Number of years between introduction and purchase or use by 50 million consumers. This is the number consumer psychologists say indicates that a product has penetrated our society.

1960: 15 hours a week (TV) 2010 : 75 hours a week(TV, computer, hand-held devices) 8- to 18-year-olds’ average time in front of an electronic screen TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME? 3

6- to 8- year-olds spend 7.5 hours PER DAY watching TV, playing video games, or using computers and other “screens” • 2- to 6-year-olds spend 4 hours PER DAY using screens • At least 20% of 2-year-oldshave TV in their rooms • 40% of 3-month-oldswatch TV regularly • 90% of 2-year-oldswatch TV regularly

Most 3½-year- olds can: Who has computers at home? • 80% of Kindergarten children • 75% of preschoolers turn on the computer point and click the mouse load CDs and DVDs

Pediatricians recommend: • children under the age of 2 should not watch television or videos • older children should not watch more than 2 hours per day of educational and non-violent programs

When children are using screens, they are not: • building the foundations of learning • using their own minds to create and discover; they are just responding • learning to play and • interact with other kids • spending time outside

Parents Views of Baby Videos • 56% of parents believe that baby videos are good for child development

When children are given too much screen time, they: • have less vocabulary • have fewer language skills • have decreased reading and comprehension skills • are not as ready for school

When children have too much screen time, they: • get less sleep • are frightened by “scary” media • may become more hyperactive

With more screen time, children: • Become more materialistic • Believe “things” make them happy • Nag parents more • Cause more family • conflicts

Marketing to Children • 2 to 11-year-olds see more than • 25,000 commercials a year • More than $17 billion is spent annually on marketing to children • Kids under 12 influence $500 billion of purchases each year

Advertising and Children • Children begin to recognize brands as early at 6 months old, and start to become loyal • to brands by age 2 • Most children are unable distinguish between commercials and TV programs until they are 8 years old

Obesity • A preschooler’s risk of obesity jumps 6% for every hour of TV watched per day • Obesity jumps 31% if there is a TV in the bedroom

Violence • Desensitization to violence • Violence is an acceptable and effective way of solving problems • Bullying and aggressive behavior

Why Set Limits? • Children whose parents set rules or limited access spend less time with media than their peers • Children who spend less time with media: • Get better grades • Feel more personal contentment • Have better powers of concentration • Improve problem solving skills • Increase compassion • Increase imagination, curiosity and creative development • Learn about the world around them using all five senses

Step #1: Evaluate Media Usage • Look at how, when, where and why media is used? • Who uses it and when? • What are the children’s favorite shows, movies, games, etc.?

Step #2: Have Family Guidelines • Start good habits early • Limit screens to specific days and times • Remove screens from bedrooms • Balance media with other activities • (one hour of playing outside, one hour of screens) • Turn off TV and media during meals • Have children ask if they can turn on media • Have family agreements about rules for using media • Use media together

Step #3: Talk • Discuss media with children • Talk about what is good and bad • Watch together • Share stories • Relate to reality • (both good and bad) • Talk about what you like and don’t like

Ask Questions • Who are the favorite characters? • Why? • Who would they want to be? • How does the character feel? How would the child feel? • What do they think should happen? • Why did the characters do that? What would the child do in that situation? • How was the problem solved? Are there other ways to solve it?

Talk About Commercials • Point them out – separate them from the show • Talk about what the ad is selling. Would they want that? Why? • Do they really think the toy • can do that? • Use a timer to show the • beginning and end of commercial • Fast-forward through ads or mute them • Count the commercials

Talk about Fantasy vs. Reality • Discuss events on television and “real life” • Talk about scary things on TV and screens

Step #4: Find Alternatives • Provide other activities • and participate in them • Talk, sing, rhyme, read • and play with children • Take them outside to • explore and run around

Formerly TV Turn-off Week under a different organization, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is now the national organizer of Screen-Free Week and is reaching out to “endorsers” all over the U.S. EYI was among the first to sign on.

EYI’s regional program • Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take a pledge to reduce screen time and track the hours: • “From April 18-24, 2011, I pledge to REDUCE the amount of time my child is using screen media (computer, TV, smartphone, etc.) and encourage him or her to spend time doing other activities, such as playing, reading, talking, or playing outside.”

Places to pledge • Online at www.eyi.org • Pledge forms at child care centers, libraries, and businesses.

Alternatives Guide • An online “Screen-Free Alternatives Guide” features free or discounted activities at museums, libraries, parks, businesses, sports centers, etc. • Parents and caregivers can mention Screen-Free Week at the door and the discounts will be honored.

Questions and Comments • For more information: www.eyi.org The Early Years Institute info@eyi.org 516-304-5480

Keeping Media in Mind: Understanding What “Too Much Screen Time” Means for Our Children