Why Does Screen Time Matter?
Here is a list of screen time facts from the Canadian Paediatric Society:
- Nearly all children in Canada are exposed to screens by the age of 2
- >75% of Canadian children aged 3-4 do not meet the standard screen time guidelines of <1h/day
- Average parent-reported screen time for kids under 5 was ~2h per day
- In the US, the majority of 2 year olds use a device daily
- 9 out of 10 children are introduced to a device before their first birthday
In summary, kids are being exposed to screen time at earlier ages now ever since the pandemic. So is this a bad thing?
Screen Time Is Not Good or Bad
One thing that needs to be made clear: screen time is not inherently a bad thing. There is this notion that persists that says that screen time is “lazy parenting” and always harmful—but that’s simply not true. It is neither good nor bad, but it can be helpful and/or harmful depending on its quality and quantity.
What Counts as “Too Much”?
Current guidelines suggest:
- No screen time under age 2 (except video calls)
- Maximum of 1 hour per day for kids aged 2–5
- Avoid all screens 1 hour before bedtime
Although these guidelines can be helpful in reducing harm, they are somewhat arbitrary! Don’t take these guidelines as strict rules to follow. What matters most is the role screen time plays in your child’s life.
When Is Screen Time Actually Harmful?
Screen time becomes a concern when it:
- Replaces meaningful human interaction – Children learn language through interaction with people, not through passive interaction with a device.
- Takes away opportunities to develop play skills – Play is how children learn to think, create, and interact.
- Is used as a pacifier to keep a child calm – This can limit opportunities to develop self-regulation.
Is overstimulating – Some children’s entertainment content can dysregulate a child’s nervous system.
Quality Matters
Not all children’s content is created equal. When you see the shows your kid watches, observe:
- How fast-paced the show is
- How often the camera moves or changes angles
- Whether it’s visually and auditorily chaotic (like Cocomelon), or simple and repetitive (like Ms. Rachel)
Also observe your child:
- Are they engaged and responding?
- Are they sharing it with you?
- Or are they zoning out?
If transitioning away from screens is very difficult, that may be a sign the content is not ideal.
Generally, we would advise staying away from content that is known to be very fast-paced and chaotic like Cocomelon or YouTube Shorts. Slower paced content that is less stimulating and involves real people would likely be much better. Some examples of shows like this include old Sesame Street and Ms. Rachel.
What About “Virtual Autism”?
The term “virtual autism” has recently started gaining popularity. In short, this is not a real diagnosis. Screen time does not cause autism. That being said, excessive, poor-quality screen time can make communication and regulation challenges worse—especially for children who are already vulnerable in these areas (such as kids who are already autistic).
What Should Parents Do?
Rather than focusing only on strict time limits, it can be more helpful to focus on structure:
- Have routines around screen time – have a specific time in the day when screen time is allowed and keep it consistent
- Avoid using screen time as a pacifier – although screens are highly effective at pacifying children, using screen time as a pacifier consistently can actually increase dependence on screens and negatively affect emotional development
- Allow your children to be bored sometimes – children need to be bored sometimes to develop their creativity!
- Be aware of what your child is watching – supervise your child’s screen time to make sure the content is appropriate for your child
It’s important to remember that sometimes life gets in the way and these guidelines become very difficult to follow. There are many real-life factors involved, like stress, work, and access to support. There is no need for guilt about giving your child screen time! The goal is simply to be more aware and intentional about how we use it.
Screen Time and Gestalt Language Processors
Some children (especially Gestalt Language Processors) may learn phrases and language from media—and this can be a good thing! However, the same recommendations still apply and it’s still important to be mindful of both the quality and quantity of screen time. One helpful strategy you can use with Gestalt Language Processors is to bring screen-based interests off-screen through pretend play and toys that make references to their favourite shows!
