This week, the Pew Research Center released findings on how parents of children aged 12 and below regulate screen time. The study revealed that 90% of parents reported their kids watch TV, with 61% allowing interaction with smartphones at least occasionally. Interestingly, just 50% permitted their children to use video game consoles. Additionally, 42% of those surveyed expressed a desire to better manage their children’s screen time, while 86% indicated they have established guidelines surrounding screen use, even if they sometimes deviate from them.
However, the Pew study did not detail what these rules entail. Knowing a percentage of parents allow TV viewing doesn’t provide insight into the duration, specific content watched, or how parents monitor potentially inappropriate material.
In my household, I’ve adopted a token system for my eight-year-old, inspired by Greg McKeown, the author of Essentialism. At the start of each week, my child receives 10 tokens, which equate to $5 or five hours of screen time. They can earn extra tokens for reading. The choice of how to spend this time is largely flexible; they can opt to play Minecraft or view content on streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, or Paramount+. They are also permitted to use certain music-making applications and games on their iPad, although unrestricted access to the device is not allowed.
Contrary to what some might think, my approach isn’t overly rigid. My younger child enjoys about an hour of mainly educational television daily, helping to create a calm environment for my oldest to focus on homework. We have also instituted a family movie night every Saturday, rotating the selection so everyone has a turn.
To learn how others handle screen time, I reached out to readers of Technology News and our staff. A common strategy was to make screen time a shared family experience.
- Yw0 suggested being present when the TV is on to foster a shared viewing experience.
- Kate Cox, a senior producer at Decoder, implements “Family Time,” where they watch or play together, currently enjoying shows like Steven Universe and Batman TAS, along with playing Final Fantasy 6.
Concerns regarding the amount of time spent in front of screens vary. While many parents set time restrictions, this was not a universal approach.
- Andrew Hawkins, Senior Transportation Editor, maintains a straightforward policy of “no screens during the school week.”
- MaverikJV restricts their son to two hours of gaming on weekends, with no gaming permitted during the week.
- Ostino limits computer time to two hours on weekdays but permits use of consoles.
- Smash Monocle allows one hour of iPad usage daily, emphasizing intentional use rather than aimless browsing.
Parental concerns extend beyond screen time to what children engage with during that time. A significant 80% of respondents from the Pew survey expressed that social media poses more risks than benefits. Notably, 15% acknowledged their children use TikTok, although participation in other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook was considerably lower at only 5%. Meanwhile, 74% reported watching YouTube with their children, whereas just 15% mentioned that their kids do not use the platform at all.
- Many parents, including myself, do not allow unsupervised access to YouTube.
- Senior reviewer John Higgins restricts his son’s viewing and gaming to pre-approved content, such as Minecraft, and excludes Roblox entirely. He also monitors who can contact his child on FaceTime.
- Kate Cox describes herself as generally permissive about gaming but imposes strict limitations on internet access, preventing use of Roblox and YouTube.
In terms of managing screen time, many parents resort to the classic methods of taking devices away or powering them down. Some have adopted tools like Apple’s Screen Time feature to control iPad usage more effectively.
The Pew survey indicated that personal smartphones are not commonly owned by younger children. Only 29% of parents permitted their 8 to 10-year-olds to have their own devices, though smartphone ownership tends to increase as children reach adolescence.
- Abdulla77 has given his teenage daughter an iPhone but restricts its use to contacting him or his wife during certain hours.
- Krisprince prefers the Bark Phone for their 13-year-old due to its comprehensive parental controls.
It’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Strategies that work well for some may not suit others. We’re all navigating these challenges in our own ways, and according to Pew, 58% of us believe we’re managing effectively.
