Hendrick Health offers tips for children’s media usage

In four decades, the definition of child’s play has gone from physical activities outside with friends to indoor amusements on phones, tablets and other screens.

“Screens have replaced friends and mental activity has replaced physical activity,” said Nathan Speer, MD, pediatrician on staff at Hendrick Health. “While I am a huge proponent of mental activity, there is moderation in everything.”

Digital and social media offer the benefits of early learning, increased opportunities for social contact, connection to distant family members and access to information about hobbies, health and community events. However, immersion in screen-based content can negatively impact children’s sleep, attention, learning and social development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

“Children are becoming more sedentary as technology advances and cultural norms evolve,” said Dr. Speer. “Obesity and depression epidemics are sweeping our young ones’ childhoods and lives away.”

APP advises parents guide their children in balancing screen time with other important daily activities:

• Sleep (eight or more hours nightly, depending on child’s age)
• Physical activity (minimum one hour daily)
• Homework
• Hands-on creative play
• Social connections, such as media-free dinnertime with family

In addition, Dr. Speer is in concordance with the APP on two practical recommendations. The first is that preschool-aged children should spend no more than one hour daily viewing educational, interactive or nonviolent digital media content with a parent or caregiver who can co-view and co-play. And, children of all ages should not be put to bed with devices because they hamper quality sleep.

Dr. Speer suggests parents unplug and interact with their children, preferably outdoors if the weather is agreeable. Ride bikes together, build obstacle courses or go on scavenger hunts.

“The best thing is to lead by example,” said Dr. Speer.