The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to our everyday lives throughout this past year, one of which being the switch to all online learning for schools around the world. 

Kids everywhere now roll out of bed and turn on their computers rather than actually going to school. This is okay in certain respects, like now kids can wake up at more appropriate times and get enough sleep. But, sitting in front of a computer for 6 hours a day can have its own effects on your health.

Even before COVID, kids already spent too much time on their phones, or watching tv, or playing video games. But, now increased screen time during COVID is almost unavoidable, especially with online school. Having a lot of screen time is not always a bad thing, I mean there are some benefits to the internet and our devices. But, the American Academy of Pediatrics says too much screen time for children can result in impaired sleep, learning and social skill delays, and behavioural problems.

So, what can you do to limit screen time during the pandemic?

First of all, try to be understanding and go easy on yourself. This past year has been hard on everyone, including kids. Social distancing and not getting to hang out with friends as much can be isolating, which in turn makes kids and teens turn to social media and other forms of online communication. Allowing yourself a little extra screen time to compensate for the inability of real life social interaction is okay. 

Next, make sure you are getting the recommended amount of exercise and sleep everyday, which leaves less time to be on your devices. It’s understandable to have the urge to be lazy and become a couch potato, but this is also a really great opportunity to become a more healthy person in general. With all this extra time, people can be exercising more, eating healthier, getting more sleep, and having better personal hygiene. All this time focused on other things means you’ll be spending less time watching tv in bed. 

Trying new things, or trying to learn a new skill, is another way to lower your screen time. It can literally be anything: cooking or baking, gardening, back-flipping, drawing or painting, juggling, or even a new way to tie your shoes. The more time you spend learning new things, the less time you’re spending on your phone.

So, what’s the verdict? Should kids have more limited screen time during quarantine? How can you personally manage your own screen time? The answer isn’t entirely straightforward. Overall, it’s okay to have a higher screen time as long as you balance the other aspects of your life.

Sources:

https://childmind.org/article/screen-time-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/

https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/how-much-screen-time-should-kids-get-during-the-pandemic