How much screen time are your kids getting

[hoovermyrug]

Mine are 9 and 10. These are weird times. What is normal? I feel like I spend all day chucking them off it and it's exhausting. I can't believe we may have months of this ahead. Officially they are on holiday so maybe I should loosen up. I hate the screens.

As much as they want after school work is done. If they're online with friends playing fifa or minecraft or whatever they're into remember this is the only interaction they're having with their friends that they're used to spending 6hrs a day with. Dont feel guilty about too much screen time it's not like we can send them out to play instead

The recommended maximum screen time is 1hour a day until 12yo, 2 hours until 18yo, including every screen, tv, pc, phones...
Use a parental control app to limit that, Google Family Link for android, Apple Family Sharing for iphone, both free.

@Mary8076 what a crazy recommendation. Screens are not evil. We are under lockdown and using a computer can be incredibly productive! What would you expect a 13 year old to do all day at home? Screens are used for so much nowadays and can be the only way to stay in touch with friends and family during these times.

Unrelated, but to show how screens are great: I wrote a novel when I was 12. Three by the time I was 17. It would have been impossible to do that had my parents restricted screen time to 2 hours a day.

@hoovermyrug I completely agree with uhoh20

I agree I wouldn't even worry right now. We are effectively in war times. Give them plenty of opportunity to do things other than screen time especially playing outdoors but don't stress. The most important thing for them during this period is that they feel loved and secure. Screen time isn't the devil as long as it's used in addition to an active and happy childhood not as a substitute. The evidence that screen time is particularly damaging is actually quite limited Xx

My 5yo has had an embarrassing amount these past few days. I was feeling terrible about it BUT am now focused on feeling grateful he has something he's interested in (minecraft). We have a long road ahead of us, he may as well have fun his way. Helps my sanity too. They'll be back as school in due course.