Navigating screen time during COVID-19

As kids spend more and more time indoors in response to the coronavirus outbreak and schools providing distance learning activities that rely on internet access and technology, parents may find balancing screen time to be more of a challenge.

Brianna Porter, the school counselor for Mt. Pleasant Middle School, said building in screen time to a schedule during the school closures can help prevent overuse.

'If you know your child enjoys playing Xbox, build that into the day and routine, that way they know what to expect. They can get an hour of free play then online learning and then maybe you go for a walk after,” Porter suggested.

The counselor added setting those expectations can also prevent conflict.

'Rather than you coming in and just shutting it off, which can cause conflict, keeping it consistent and setting that boundary so they know what to expect is important,” she said.

In addition to free play, Porter said using technology is a great way for students to be keeping in contact with their peers and maintaining social connections. Currently, Porter is also holding grade-level meetings with students at her building through Zoom.

'It can be a useful tool,” she said.

Mt. Pleasant Community School District's elementary counselor Sara LeBlanc explained kids today grow up much more comfortable around technology. LeBlanc said it's important to monitor kids' activity online and suggests having computers in a communal space where an adult can easily check in, especially for younger children.

'Chances are, they're going to be on it now more than normal. An adult should always be aware of what's on the screen. If the computer is in a communal area, parents can keep walking by. You want to be aware of what their online connections are,” LeBlanc said.

In addition to being aware of what's on their screens, LeBlanc noted parents should make an effort to suggest alternative non-screen activities such as family game nights, cooking or walks.

The elementary school counselor added children 'grow up in a different world” than generations of the past. LeBlanc added she wouldn't be overly concerned with overuse but does worry when she hears about children who cannot fall asleep without their phone in their hand or a movie playing in the background.

'It is a concern when children need a screen playing to go to sleep. They don't learn to control or calm their own bodies down,” LeBlanc said.

Like Porter, Lu Evergreen, a licensed independent social worker with Optimae LifeServices in Fairfield, said building both screen time and time away from screens into a kid's schedule can help parents find a good balance.

Evergreen added some television can be used as a reward for kids and is a method to help kids distress.

'It can help motivate kids who may be having trouble staying on a routine. The reward shouldn't be three hours of television but maybe one show. It's good to limit that stuff,” Evergreen said.

Ultimately, the use of screen time may need to be tailored to the individual needs of each child, Evergreen said.

'I think it's about finding balance, cutting out all screen time is not necessarily good either, because TV and internet screen time is a coping skill, a way to escape the reality even if just briefly of what's going on. If you're constantly aware of the current reality, it might be overwhelming. I think that using TV or screen time with kids selectively in a way that benefits rather than enables can be good,” Evergreen added.

The social worker also echoed Porter's comment that technology can be instrumental in helping kids continue their social connections with friends.

'Being able to do video chats with friends and things like that is really important to stay connected. It can feel really lonely and can be hard on them. Parents can encourage kids to reach out or help kids to reach out if they're younger. It's important to stay connected even when they can't physically see friends,” Evergreen added.