Psychologist Reveals Top 5 Tips to Reduce Screen Time for Your Children
Kids reliance on screens this Christmas could impact their mood and sleep
With screen time being a part of everyday life, getting children to reduce their usage can be a difficult task, especially during birthdays or Christmas when new game consoles are being gifted. Six in ten British parents have revealed they struggle with how often and how much time their child spends on screens. Over four in ten (44%) have tried to cut down their child’s screen time before but cited it was too difficult, with 32% revealing it caused tantrums.
To help parents implement a healthy balance with technology, mother and baby retailer JoJo Maman Bébé has partnered with clinical psychologist, Melody Smith to reveal the impact of too much screen time and how to cut down.
Too much screen time can impact the ability to focus, problem-solve and manage emotions:
“Screens are everywhere – phones, tablets, computers, TVs – and while they can be useful and fun, too much screen time can have various impacts on children’s health and development. Too much screen time can cause children to struggle with focusing, problem-solving and managing their emotions.
“If your child is constantly switching between apps or videos, they may find it harder to focus on a single task at school or finish their homework without distractions.
“When children spend a lot of time in front of screens, it can change the way their brains work. Excessive screen use can affect areas of the brain responsible for attention, decision-making, and emotional control. For example, watching a lot of TV or playing video games can overstimulate the brain’s reward system, making it harder for kids to concentrate on less exciting activities like reading or playing outdoors.”
Reliance on screens can impact soft skills that are key for emotional and social growth:
“It also reduces time spent on other important developmental activities like outdoor play, reading, and interacting with peers, which are essential for emotional and social growth. A child who frequently chooses screen time over playing with friends may find it harder to develop strong social skills, such as cooperating or sharing.
“Too much screen time also encourages a sedentary lifestyle, meaning children spend less time moving around.”
Excessive screentime can also lead to poorer sleep quality which affects mood and concentration:
“The more time children spend in front of screens, especially before bedtime, the harder it is for them to fall asleep, leading to poorer sleep quality which can make children feel tired during the day, affecting their mood and concentration.
“The blue light from devices can stop the body from making melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep. For example, a child who uses screens late into the night could find it harder to wake up in the morning, making it difficult to focus at school.”
Screentime can make it difficult for children to focus on slower-paced activities like reading:
“Younger children, especially those under 5, are most vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive screen time on their attention spans. Their brains are still developing critical attention-control skills. Overexposure to fast-paced screen content can make it difficult for them to focus on slower activities like reading or playing quietly.”
As over half (53%) of UK parents do not have screen-free time or days, Dr Melody explains why screen-free time is needed and how to cut down:
She says: “Screen time is a normal part of modern life, but managing it wisely is very important for your child’s development”
- Start by cutting it down in small increments and incorporate small doses into a structured daily routine to balance it with other activities
- Explain the reasons behind this and involve children in the decision-making process as they are more likely to follow the rules
- Stay consistent and calm and offer alternative activities to avoid tantrums
- Offer positive reinforcement
- Parents can set an example by limiting their screentime
Cut down screentime in small increments and explain the reasons behind this to involve children in the decision-making process:
“The key to reducing screen time is to make it gradual and offer fun alternatives. Start by cutting down screen time in small increments, like reducing 10-15 minutes per day.
“If your child is used to two hours of TV after school, start by reducing that to 1 hour and 45 minutes and introduce a new activity like a puzzle or building with blocks during that extra 15 minutes.
Explain the reasoning behind reducing screentime and involving children in the decision-making process:
“Children are more likely to follow rules when they feel part of the decision-making process. Involve them in setting screen time limits and explaining the reasons behind these limits
“Set a family rule that all devices are turned off an hour before bedtime. Explain to your child that this helps everyone sleep better.”
Stay consistent and offer alternative activities to help avoid tantrums:
“It’s normal for children to resist when their screen time is limited, especially if they’re used to having more of it. The key is to stay consistent and calm. Acknowledge their feelings and offer empathy, but remain firm. Providing an alternative activity that is just as engaging right after screen time ends can help with the transition.
“Children learn by observing, so it’s important for parents to model healthy screen habits”
Incorporate small doses of screentime into children’s daily routine to help balance it with other activities and offer positive reinforcement to help reduce screentime:
“Incorporating screen time into a structured daily routine helps to balance it with other important activities like homework, chores, and outdoor play. For example, allow screen time only after all homework and chores are done. After school, your child’s routine could be snacks, homework, 30 minutes of screen time, then dinner and outdoor play.
“Positive reinforcement works well in encouraging children to reduce screen time. You can create a reward system where children earn points or small rewards for choosing screen-free activities.”
For those looking for screen-free gifting alternatives, check out JoJo Maman Bébé’s wide range of soft toys, books, toddler gifts and educational toys.
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