Screen time limits

[Boymamabee]

Just curious if people limit their children’s screen time?

My 4-year-old’s high functioning autistic and he’s addicted to YouTube and games on his dad's phone. I’ve been told screen time helps regulate them, etc., but that’s not my experience.

How do I limit screen time after I’ve let it go on for ages?

Also, he’ll watch the same thing over and over. Is it cruel to sometimes say no to his special interest? I don’t want his world becoming too small of if that makes sense?

Just to clarify, I think YouTube causes his meltdowns sometimes.

You’re probably better asking MN to move this to the SEN board rather than staying in AIBU.

In my experience too much TV was not great for my kids, especially at that age. For us strict clear rules about when we have TV helped so they knew when TV would be happening and find alternative method of self regulation. But I don’t have a child with a diagnosis.

Screen time, especially fast paced stuff which you often get on YouTube is highly stimulating and often does cause meltdowns and impact behaviour. Cutting down won't be easy. You probably need to have clear rules around it so he can understand, and you need to stick to them even if he is ill/bad weather etc or he will be confused. You might limit on time e.g. set a maximum before it turns off or you might limit based on routine e.g. before dinner but not after dinner.

I would spend some time preparing him beforehand. A social story might help. Also I'd pick a time when you can be quite busy or get him a new toy. If he has something else to distract him (out the house lots if possible) it will be easier for him to cope. Also make sure you and DP are in agreement, otherwise one of you will undermine the other. If he learns he can cry and get his own way with one of you, that won't help!

Personally, I think YouTube is the work of the devil with kids. My normally lovely child becomes a fucking demon when he has watched it. It's not like this with anything else, I can't explain it!

I have banned it but occasionally he puts it on himself then has a full tantrum when I switch it off and remind him it is banned.

I do because my asd ds responds well to a routine. He has switch 6-7 (we play as a family rather than on his own so has to be when we are all in. ) He also gets it for an hour on a weekend morning usually 9-10.
His tablet he gets 8-830 and 430-5 and in the car. I will also pull it out for times of need doctors wait room for example.

I'm a bit more chil about tv as it tends to be more background but it's probably not on more than an hour a day (maybe a couple At weekends.

I'd say it does help regulate my son because he's sensory seeking so it gives him the stimulation he needs.

Switch can be more of an issue as he struggles with losing but equally he struggles at board games too.