by Kym Byrnes
There was a time not so long ago that the screen we spent the most time staring at was the television screen. We were warned not to sit too close to it because it was bad for our eyes, and some of us even remember having to get up to change the channel, to one of the other three available stations.
Today we are inundated with screens. They are a part of our every communication, how we digest news, what we use to connect to those around us. They come in the form of televisions, cell phones, tablets and computers. And we spend a tremendous amount of time staring at and engaging with these screens.
According to a Henry Kaiser Foundation study, each day children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend approximately 7.5 hours using entertainment media, 4.5 hours watching television, 1.5 hours on the computer and more than an hour playing video games. Those numbers become even more alarming when the study suggests that those same children are reading books just 25 minutes per day.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has created a public awareness campaign to help educate families about the importance of getting away from those screens to participate in more active, healthy activities.
Experts suggest that the more time children spend in front of the screen, the more likely they are to be overweight. It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, which can be challenging if they are staring at their screens all day.
So what can you do to reduce that screen time and get the kids participating in healthier, physical activities?
It starts with you!
That’s right, as parents we are really important role models. That means setting a good example by limiting our own screen time, and also setting rules and guidelines for what is allowable for your children.
When you do spend time in front of the screen – try to do something active.
There are plenty of games, programs and apps that encourage physical activity. Make wise choices and try to engage with others while doing it – have a dance off, play a virtual tennis match or just follow along for a 15 minute yoga workout.
Don’t use tv time as a reward or punishment.
Experts suggest that doing this adds value to watching television, it makes it seem even more important.
Track it.
Spend a week or month logging how much time your family spends watching tv, playing video games, etc… and also log how much time the family spends getting physical activity. Create a fun chart to keep on the refrigerator, maybe make a game out of it. At the end of the timeframe, look at the results and talk about what is healthy and what changes might need to be made.
Get the screens out of the bedroom.
More than one in three children today have a computer, with internet access, in their bedroom; half have video game systems in their room; and more than two out of three have televisions in their bedrooms. Research suggests that those with televisions in their rooms spend an hour or more in front of the screen than those without tv’s in the bedroom. Removing screens from the bedrooms forces the kids to spend more time in family areas of the house, or better yet, outside.
