Unplugged Part 1

Unplugged is a term that is becoming more and more common these days. You hear it from teachers, child specialists, TV (ironically!!), American Academy of Pediatrics, and in books. We all smile and nod when we hear it, ‘oh yes’ we say ‘that’s very important for our children’.

However, no matter how good our intentions are, once reality sets in the electronics get plugged back in… along with our children. When Gwen was younger, I really didn’t know why it was so important. I love TV. I want to share the things I love with my kid. What’s the big deal?

I have found, over the years, that it actually is a big deal and I have discovered that ‘screen time’ covers more than just TV.

Screen time includes computer, wii/play station/DS/etc.. video games, apps on a phone, ipad or ipod. The hard truth I have had to accept is that even if it’s ‘educational’ it’s still screen time.

According to Nemours.org in an article for health professionals and parentingtodayskids.com;

-Children who have more than 2 hours each day of screen time are more likely to suffer from obesity.

-Research has shown that increased screen time is linked to emotional and behavioral problems in children, including difficulties focusing and paying attention to strings of tasks.

-Children who have televisions in their bedrooms are more likely to have poor academic scores.

-Sleep patterns are affected by too much screen time, resulting in kids who resist going to sleep and those who are unable to sleep soundly through the night.

-Each hour spent in front of a screen is an hour lost on active play time. Imagination, exploration, and creativity are reduced when television viewing and video games are increased.

So how much is the ‘right’ amount for children? Well The American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends that children under 2 watch no television at all!

 Media — both foreground and background — have potentially negative effects and no known positive effects for children younger than 2 years. Thus, the AAP reaffirms its recommendation to discourage media use in this age group. This statement also discourages the use of background television intended for adults when a young child is in the room

That’s an extremely strong and potentially unpopular stance for them to take and I applaud their boldness.

Even past age 2 the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends only 1-2 hours a day and says parents should continue to avoid “background media” that is intended for someone else, even if the child seems to be not paying attention.

So, as parents, grandparents and caregivers how do we apply this to the reality of our lives and family schedule?

Honestly, I have so much to say on this topic that I will have to continue another day, but rest in the knowledge that I have an abundance of opinions and ideas to share with you!