Screen-time and Well-being

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, a psychologist and ambassador for the child safety charity, Internet Matters, stated that;

Often, kids won't open up to parents about problems online if they feel their digital devices are going to be taken away. Taking away their devices or restricting usage might make things worse and make your child feel more isolated.

How can parents encourage screen balance?

Acting as Digital Mentors, parents can shape their children’s online habits by using family media agreements.  A family media agreement is an agreed-upon family plan about how your family will deal with the internet, technology, and social media.  This may be known interchangeably as a family tech plan, a technology agreement, or a phone contract.  Whatever you title the agreement, parents and children set out how children will use their screens and what the consequences for improper use are.

What should be included in the family media agreement?

A key component of such a plan is to agree with your child on how much time a day can be spent online. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a very good suggestion on how to approach this topic: prioritizing key healthy behaviors such as exercise, sleep, homework, family time, time with friends, and time for hobbies.  Once you have incorporated all of these activities into your child’s schedule, then you can apportion time for digital media use.  Too often, we find children and young people using the internet, technology, and social media at all times, without discernment.

How can I best guide my child?

Children learn most behavioral aspects from us, including screen habits. Therefore, being a good role model and using your devices in ways that you want your children to emulate will help you establish a balanced use of technology in your family. Do the following:

• Set rules for your child's screen use and ALSO for your own.
• Switch YOUR own media off at a consistent time every evening.
• Ban YOUR own phone from dinner time and any other family activity.
• Make sure you do not let media distract YOU from your children’s bids for attention.
• Use technology like any other fun activity you do with your kids, like playing with them, watching movies, or sharing information. Use these moments to TEACH them to critique the content they watch.

Research is not conclusive on the effects of screens on child development, so err on the side of caution and opt for balance and boundaries.

What are specific screen time tips for parents of children aged 0-8?

• Setting and maintaining screen limits: Be flexible, be screen smart, but above all don’t beat yourself up when they don’t always work.
• Understanding that not all screen time is equal: Creative uses of apps and tech win out over mindless violent video games, every time.
• Screen limits for children less than 2 years old: Many pediatricians and psychologists discourage screens and recommend establishing screen-free zones.
• Setting those boundaries early: Begin as you mean to go on. Parents of younger children are in a fantastic position to deal with digital parenting and set the rules and expectations right from the beginning.

What are specific screen time tips for parents of children aged 9-17?

• Setting and maintaining screen limits: Setting limits may reduce the time that your teen is exposed to online bullying and online trends (ice-bucket challenges, anorexia websites).
• Understanding what the signs of too much screen time and/or addiction are.
• Communication is key: Come to grips with the fact that it may not be feasible to just add parental control software and consider the problem solved.
• Be prepared to talk, engage, and get creative with your children and teenagers as they are growing up in the digital and very connected environment.
• Technology in family places: Removing electronics from bedrooms may reduce screen time at night, improve sleep and also reduce the feeling of intimacy that a young person may have when all alone in their room chatting with a friend or a stranger.

How can I maintain my child’s health and well-being in the digital environment?

Be involved as a digital parent and foster the faith of your child online as you do offline. When your children and young people are able to align their values with their digital behavior, well-being, and balance are the results.

1.  e-RESPECT

• e-Equality

If you see injustice online, do not be a bystander and watch the drama unfold.  Be an “upstander” and advocate for equality and fair treatment.

• e-Courtesy

Demonstrate respect to others whether on social media networks, gaming chats, or other chat services.

• e-Patience

THINK before posting and commenting as to whether your contribution will be “Truthful, Helpful, Informative, Necessary and Kind.”

2.  e-HONESTY

• e-Trustworthiness

Contribute to the digital environment in a positive manner.

• e-Authenticity

Disregard peer pressure or online tactics of viral influences: stay true to yourself.

• e-Integrity

When gaming, chatting, sharing, posting, video-streaming, or engaging in other online activities, be true to yourself.

3.  e-RESPONSIBILITY

• e-Dignity

In every online action, transaction, and interaction, be an ambassador for Qatar.

• e-Modesty

Humility and lack of pretension in posts, comments, photos, and online activities.

• e-Privacy

Protect your own privacy and that of others.