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Should they limit screen time for kids?

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By *hagTonight OP   Man
12 weeks ago

From the land of haribos.

I read an interesting article about it and have you also heard the latest about the importance of limiting screen time for kids?

There was a study and it shows that by limiting of just 3 hours weekly screen time have a "positive effect" on behaviour and mental health, not just that, they were better able to manage emotions and communicate with other with less screen time.

There are few countries that want to implement the restriction like, france and austrailia, no doubt others countries want to follow suit too, which is good.

The study gave some advice what would be a healthy amount of screen time, it would vary depending on the age from 2hrs a day to just one hr per weekday.

What is your view about it and the effect that too much screen time have on kids? I agree with the study and that it would be good to limit the screen time too

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By *arrenhertsmanMan
12 weeks ago

Hatfield

Yes ..

Even the people that created smart phones said it’s bad for children

Limit but talk to your children why .. the fomo has to be addressed or they won’t limit

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By *riar BelisseWoman
12 weeks ago

Bliss

No shag.

It's completely unenforceable, there's not enough activities in the home to occupy the kids, so they invariably go out to occupy themselves, which leads to anti social behaviour.

Screen time is fine, its the content of that screen time that's important.

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By *arrenhertsmanMan
12 weeks ago

Hatfield


"No shag.

It's completely unenforceable, there's not enough activities in the home to occupy the kids, so they invariably go out to occupy themselves, which leads to anti social behaviour.

Screen time is fine, its the content of that screen time that's important."

Agree content is important .. but plenty of other things to do ….

Jenga anyone?

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By *ilsaGeorgeCouple
12 weeks ago

kent

As a fairly new parent, this is particularly topical. Beyond a few cartoons on tv, our little one has almost no screen time at all. No concept of the internet and social media, no concept of a computer game, never even seen a controller. Like everything else, a child’s imagination requires a little nurturing, but it’s a wonder to behold. Screen time is a necessity in the modern world. Every child today will spend an enormous amount of their life staring at one. Let them be children first. Just my opinion of course x

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

Enforce it on kids if you enforce it on yourself. Though I think sticking a tablet under a 2 year olds nose is a bit of lazy parenting.

I do think social media should be banned for all under 16s

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By *ou only live onceMan
12 weeks ago

London

This is down to parents/carers - it's no-one else's job to decide how much time their children spend on phones/in front of the TV.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
12 weeks ago

Paradise, Herts

Not sure. Social media definitely. When my youngest was little we got her an iPad and honestly believe she came on leaps on bounds with all the educational games she played on there.

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By *ildTimes.Man
12 weeks ago

Colchester/London

It's the parents job, we don't need more state intervention.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
12 weeks ago

Paradise, Herts


"Not sure. Social media definitely. When my youngest was little we got her an iPad and honestly believe she came on leaps on bounds with all the educational games she played on there. "

*leaps and bounds

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By *rHotNottsMan
12 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

I always limited my kids - phones were always downstairs on charge by 9 pm, same as mine was!

I don’t think Socialist governments can ever fill the gap that bad parenting leaves so I’m not for this kind of legislation, government have much more important things that they could be doing.

Worked with children in the past in the UK and eastern Europe and unfortunately all the research shows that once children get beyond primary school there is not much that any kind of intervention can do to change the course of their life, you have to start very, very young.

So I would be in favour of legislation that bans the use of screens / mobile devices based on age, but then you have the dilemma what are those kids gonna do because their parents won’t just start talking to them.

Maybe parents should be banned from using Instagram when they have young children instead?

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

They should for me too. Automatic shut off

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

Screen time, it depends on the child really. Being neurodivergent, games, TV, films and later Internet, have played a huge part in my life and kept me entertained. As a kid, I still went out and played football, climbed trees, hung out with mates, rode my mountain bike and so on.

A good mix is important, for sure. But it needs to be tailored to the individual.

I do agree with keeping them off social media though (including YouTube). It's a cesspool of misinformation, vanity and ridiculous "goals" (such as being an influencer or socialite) and developing minds are easily ruined.

If I had kids, which isn't happening now, but if I did, I would curate what they consume and make sure they socialise with other kids in-person. Many these days spend most of their free time on games consoles, only interacting through voice chat (often with arseholes, in games such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, etc) and it's definitely breeding more and more toxic attitudes, which they will use later on in life.

Games can be far more damaging than anything else. Games have the ability to absolutely destroy a person, child or not. They have a faux reward system, which is extremely addictive, because of the little rewards they give you to keep you interested.

It's like a crack dealer giving them a single hit and making sure they come back, yet every time they only sell them that same single hit.

You feel as if you've achieved something, when in reality you haven't. You've just sat in front of a screen for God knows how many hours, twiddling a controller or tapping keys.

Then after the game is done, all of the little hits vanish entirely and you're left feeling empty inside. So you end up seeking other games, wanting to play another match or whatever.

Games are incredibly manipulative, in the way they are designed and often parents don't understand the ramifications of letting their kid(s) play them for hours on end.

Eventually, the charm wears off and you wonder why you spent so long playing them. Fuck, I regret the time I spent on them, even if I did enjoy it at the time.

Granted, not everyone will become addicted. Some people have excellent self control, but some also don't. Sure, it might "keep them quiet" but think about what you're doing to their brains as it develops. Allowing a kid to engage in nonstop gaming could be actively creating an addict.

My advice, as an ex-gamer of around 36 years, is don't ever let them become addicted to games while they're young. They will miss out on so much of what life has to offer.

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By *NormalMan01Man
12 weeks ago

Harrogate

This is great. Maybe someone should tell this to school when setting homework. My early years kids do so much homework on a screen now.

Also, this is the world. As adults kids will be dealing with screens more and more.

While yes, I try to limit screen time in my house to what’s bearable, there’s reasons for it.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
12 weeks ago

East Sussex

That genie isn't going back in the bottle.

We do need to check what our children are looking at and who they're communicating with though. Putting your children alone in a room with the entire contents of the net at their disposal is never a good idea.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
12 weeks ago

East Sussex


"This is great. Maybe someone should tell this to school when setting homework. My early years kids do so much homework on a screen now.

Also, this is the world. As adults kids will be dealing with screens more and more.

While yes, I try to limit screen time in my house to what’s bearable, there’s reasons for it. "

I think screens are an integral part of life now and we need to accept that. Rather than prevent or limit their use and send out mixed messages about it being acceptable for study but limited for leisure I think the adults need to take charge instead of looking helplessly on and enforcing limits and bans will be next to impossible. Monitor what kids are looking at , even in the early 2000s we used to check the pc internet history to see where our kids had been, we headed off a couple of disasters that way. What is it that they're doing on their screen that's affecting mental health, find out and take steps to put it right. Why are they choosing screens over socialising and who are they interacting with on line?

The number of parents who express shock when they find out what their 13 year old has been looking at on line astounds me.

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By *layfullsamMan
12 weeks ago

Solihull

Why just kids ?

Should be limited for adults as well, I was in my local over the weekend and a table of 20 somethings were ALL looking at their screens in a pub with a gorgeous fire and they couldn’t communicate with each other (unless they were messaging each other)

Quite sad really

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago


"Why just kids ?

Should be limited for adults as well, I was in my local over the weekend and a table of 20 somethings were ALL looking at their screens in a pub with a gorgeous fire and they couldn’t communicate with each other (unless they were messaging each other)

Quite sad really "

It's the same at nightclubs. Everyone in the teens and 20's are on their phones, not dancing and just standing there like lemons.

Thankfully my favourite place is a mixed crowd, with more older ravers than young. So the atmosphere is better, because the majority are dancing.

I can't imagine paying for a ticket to go somewhere and just standing around, constantly on my phone. Defeats the entire purpose. 🤨

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By *aitonelMan
12 weeks ago

Liverpool

Yes, parents should limit screen time for their kids in a way they see fit and choose to implement, on devices they paid for.

Nobody else's business.

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

They? Why are you asking for a nanny state. Take responsibility for yourself.

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago


"They? Why are you asking for a nanny state. Take responsibility for yourself."

Nobody said anything about a nanny state. 🙄

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By *hagTonight OP   Man
12 weeks ago

From the land of haribos.

[Removed by poster at 05/12/24 15:45:10]

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By *hagTonight OP   Man
12 weeks ago

From the land of haribos.


"That genie isn't going back in the bottle.

We do need to check what our children are looking at and who they're communicating with though. Putting your children alone in a room with the entire contents of the net at their disposal is never a good idea. "
Hi nicecouple, yes, you are right there, we need to check what the children are up to and communicating with too

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

Absolutely manage screen time for kids... I do for mine and I've explained why s whilst they still want it (as these devices are addictive), they don't complain when I say no. It's also a good reminder for me to spend some time with them so we usually end up doing something else together.

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By *midnight-Woman
12 weeks ago

...

I guess they learn by example though - how many adults can restrict their usage to just 2-3 hours per day!?

How would you choose where to spend your time

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By *ansoffateMan
12 weeks ago

Sagittarius A

I don't see it as enforceable. Besides screen time is pretty much a constant. We use screens in schools to learn, to read, at work, for entertainment, to shop.

It's not going to change.

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By *arry monk40Man
12 weeks ago

Telford

Send them up chimnies

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By *oupleSeducedCouple
12 weeks ago

Canterbury/Greenwich

It's been easily enforceable for my teen daughter. A daily 3 hour limit and 4 hours at the weekend when she's out. She's had a phone since she started high school a few years ago. I have security software installed that's easy to use for any parent and limit what she can see and access and for how long.

Anything for school that gets blocked on her phone, I get notified, can check that it's safe then allow access to it.

For the other hours there's plenty of school work to do, books to read and games to play. Not everything has to be done on a screen. A limit is totally enforceable

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
12 weeks ago

Hastings


"It's been easily enforceable for my teen daughter. A daily 3 hour limit and 4 hours at the weekend when she's out. She's had a phone since she started high school a few years ago. I have security software installed that's easy to use for any parent and limit what she can see and access and for how long.

Anything for school that gets blocked on her phone, I get notified, can check that it's safe then allow access to it.

For the other hours there's plenty of school work to do, books to read and games to play. Not everything has to be done on a screen. A limit is totally enforceable"

So dose she use a computer at school and if so do you include that in there screen time. And if out with friends wating something on social media where several ae watching one device how do you monitor that ? 🤔

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
12 weeks ago

Central

I'm inclined towards limited time and bans of social media. Especially when linked to evidence based evidence

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By (user no longer on site)
12 weeks ago

Good parenting involves spending time with children, rather then giving them devices. A couple of hours is more than enuff for a day

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By *oupleSeducedCouple
12 weeks ago

Canterbury/Greenwich


"It's been easily enforceable for my teen daughter. A daily 3 hour limit and 4 hours at the weekend when she's out. She's had a phone since she started high school a few years ago. I have security software installed that's easy to use for any parent and limit what she can see and access and for how long.

Anything for school that gets blocked on her phone, I get notified, can check that it's safe then allow access to it.

For the other hours there's plenty of school work to do, books to read and games to play. Not everything has to be done on a screen. A limit is totally enforceable

So dose she use a computer at school and if so do you include that in there screen time. And if out with friends wating something on social media where several ae watching one device how do you monitor that ? 🤔 "

No computer use at school, so no additional screen time most of her friends screen time is also limited so no worries of increased screen time. They all went to the same private school that placed emphasis on creativity rather than technology so they're not addicted to their phones like some teens.

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By *electableicecreamMan
12 weeks ago

The West

I think screen education is more important than screen time. Kids see every adult around them looking at screens.

We have a family console in the house so gaming happens on the big screen and my teenager doesn't cave away in his room.

I use an ad blocked version of YouTube and my younger kid is limited to creators I check out and make sure are appropriate. Also only on the main screen.

All the youngest video games are sandbox style creative games that don't require ads or buys that drive compulsive behaviour.

In my opinion it's when you let your kids be babysat by a corporate algorithm is when the problems start.

There's no escaping screens but as parents we can share that space with them and make sure they are safe. Same as sex, alcohol and drugs imo

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By *vonne5exMan
12 weeks ago

Doncaster


"No shag.

It's completely unenforceable, there's not enough activities in the home to occupy the kids, so they invariably go out to occupy themselves, which leads to anti social behaviour.

Screen time is fine, its the content of that screen time that's important."
Plenty of local sports teams to join,

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
12 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

Screen time? No.

Social media time? Permanently til they're 16. Or 18 even.

Social media has created a generation of kids detached from day to day reality, unrealistic life expectations, hero worship of dickheads, obnoxious rude behaviour and countless cases of self harm and bullying.

It's anything but Social.

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
12 weeks ago

Hastings


"It's been easily enforceable for my teen daughter. A daily 3 hour limit and 4 hours at the weekend when she's out. She's had a phone since she started high school a few years ago. I have security software installed that's easy to use for any parent and limit what she can see and access and for how long.

Anything for school that gets blocked on her phone, I get notified, can check that it's safe then allow access to it.

For the other hours there's plenty of school work to do, books to read and games to play. Not everything has to be done on a screen. A limit is totally enforceable

So dose she use a computer at school and if so do you include that in there screen time. And if out with friends wating something on social media where several ae watching one device how do you monitor that ? 🤔

No computer use at school, so no additional screen time most of her friends screen time is also limited so no worries of increased screen time. They all went to the same private school that placed emphasis on creativity rather than technology so they're not addicted to their phones like some teens. "

Oooo such a different level of education at private school to most in the UK lol chalk and cheese

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By *oupleSeducedCouple
12 weeks ago

Canterbury/Greenwich

The social media companies have fucking zero interest in protecting children. It's all about profit for them and the more it's used the more millions they make.

All we can do as parents is take responsibility as much as possible to limit screen time and exposure. There's lots of good software out there to help.

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By *hagTonight OP   Man
12 weeks ago

From the land of haribos.


"Good parenting involves spending time with children, rather then giving them devices. A couple of hours is more than enuff for a day"
Hi batcouple, yes, you are right there, a couple of hours is enough for a day too

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By *hagTonight OP   Man
12 weeks ago

From the land of haribos.


"I always limited my kids - phones were always downstairs on charge by 9 pm, same as mine was!

I don’t think Socialist governments can ever fill the gap that bad parenting leaves so I’m not for this kind of legislation, government have much more important things that they could be doing.

Worked with children in the past in the UK and eastern Europe and unfortunately all the research shows that once children get beyond primary school there is not much that any kind of intervention can do to change the course of their life, you have to start very, very young.

So I would be in favour of legislation that bans the use of screens / mobile devices based on age, but then you have the dilemma what are those kids gonna do because their parents won’t just start talking to them.

Maybe parents should be banned from using Instagram when they have young children instead?"
That is good you limit your kids too

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By *uri00620Woman
12 weeks ago

Croydon


"This is down to parents/carers - it's no-one else's job to decide how much time their children spend on phones/in front of the TV."

But it becomes other people's problem if it results in anti social behaviours. Also, students regularly fall asleep in lessons because of staying up all night gaming and whatnot.

Then it isn't just a parent's problem. A generation of children who can't focus and have very short attention spans is a longer term problem with a broad impact.

It is up to parent's of course. Ultimately they have to enforce. But the impact won't just be them or the child.

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By *r Mrs FuckableCouple
12 weeks ago

Stoke

No, parents should.

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By *ove2pleaseseukMan
12 weeks ago

Hastings


"The social media companies have fucking zero interest in protecting children. It's all about profit for them and the more it's used the more millions they make.

All we can do as parents is take responsibility as much as possible to limit screen time and exposure. There's lots of good software out there to help. "

And I guess this soft where is free and easy to install and use on older devices.

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By *reggSausageMan
12 weeks ago

derby

It’s not the length of time that’s unhealthy it’s what they are watching that is, TikTok? Bin it I hope it gets banned every where, short videos have no place in teaching kids and adults for that matter what’s important, podcasts and long form interviews have proven to work, especially for adults but if you sit a kid in front of say a David Attenborough wildlife programme for an hour most will sit still and be completely engaged and amazed and as well they should, Chinese TikTok is radically different to westernised TikTok, they only show education or achievements videos on theirs, meanwhile we are fed garbage

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By *ax19862002Man
12 weeks ago

Ayrshire

They should be teaching new tech in school. IT is the same for my kid as it was for me

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