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Original poster

Anyone else concerned about the amount of screen time their dc are having?

25 replies

xatcat · 14/01/2021 08:00

I am.

My dc wake up an hour before they start their home learning.
Then from 9am they are required to look at a screen for around 3 hours.

My youngest who is in reception, has been told every day to watch an educational program and also several power points. There are also a few online lessons too.

They will also be allowed to watch some cartoons after dinner.

I'm quite concerned that they are indoors too much staring at a screen.

Their work is not possible to print out.

Every day we go for a walk but then it's straight back in looking at a screen.

Do you think this is really bad?

OP posts:

LadyCatStark · 14/01/2021 08:03

I am definitely, but he’s an only child and he has no one to play with 😢.

Yamaya · 14/01/2021 08:04

Yeah, it's not ideal. But hopefully it's just temporary.

EnglishRose1320 · 14/01/2021 08:04

Yes and No. I feel my son is having too much screen time and sometimes I worry about that but then I remind myself that when his brother was ill and in and out of hospital he had loads of screen time for a while and it did no long time damage.

I think we just have to adapt to the situation we have. I've put things in place, like they have to break up the screen time with running around the garden/reading a book etc...

DayKay · 14/01/2021 08:04

Yes I do. But unfortunately that’s the way it is and we don’t have much of a choice.
My dc are on screens for school for 6 hrs a day. Then they want to chat to friends so that’s more screens. Then they want to watch tv.
Like you, I do take mine out most days too and they do other things as well, but screen time still adds up to a lot.

EnglishRose1320 · 14/01/2021 08:06

Also (and I appreciate I'm lucky being a sahm atm) but if my youngest starts to get really screen obsessed, and grumpy about needing to finish a level/watch the next episode etc..... then I tend to have an off screen, off curriculum day the next day. Get all the arts and crafts out or bake lots type thing.

FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 14/01/2021 08:06

I am. Mine can be dragged out for a walk everyday and their meals. Otherwise they are on screens or asking to be on screens. Today I have banned all screens apart from school and they can watch something in the evening with me. The 15 year old would be in his room all day if allowed and get no sunlight ever.

Seriously79 · 14/01/2021 08:12

I was worried, until the teacher called for their weekly catch up.

Her advice was just to 'leave them to it' this is such a crazy time, we have trouble processing it, kids just don't understand it all, and if this is one of their releases and a way to catch up with their friends then just let them.

katienana · 14/01/2021 08:16

No.
This time last year I was worried we were coming in from school each night and watching TV till bedtime. If only I'd known then what I know now!!!
If you have time to spend with them then get the board games out, read, paint, play doh etc but also don't beat yourself up if you need to collapse on the sofa with them and watch TV. If they are happy then crack on of they are showing signs of anxiety then make a few changes.

MillieEpple · 14/01/2021 08:17

Life is always what's the best available rather than whats the best.
So would a 4 year old be better doing lots of play based learning. Yes. Can you do that right now? Probably not. That dependends on your work and roof over the head security. So maybe right now screen time is the best available.

arethereanyleftatall · 14/01/2021 08:18

No. I'm happy for my dc to get through this however keeps them happy and learning.

megletthesecond · 14/01/2021 08:20

Of course.
Both are secondary age. 6 hours of school and 4 hours of phone time. Drives me up the wall. I've limited their phone time but I can't reduce it any more as DD will have meltdowns.
I'm out getting exercise before and after work and a walk in my lunchbreak, I can't get them to move most days. It's awful.

Forgetmenot157 · 14/01/2021 08:21

It is hard... Unfortunately tho life is ran on screens now... Its just the way it is... A child who is a whizz on technology from an early age will do well in the current world we live in.

Tarararara · 14/01/2021 08:28

Yes. Secondary school so DS on screens for full day of online learning. School says to make sure they get time away from screens at break time, lunch and after school, but of course all DS wants to do at those times is game with his friends, and it seems unkind not to allow him to, given he is missing friends so much and life is otherwise so miserable for him.

LickEmbysmiling · 14/01/2021 08:31

It's not really bad no.
In the context of a global pandemic, its nothing at all.
Strange her setting expects 3 hours of concentration?.
My dc are also on screens morning till night through school work and recreation

It will balance out once warmer, lighter weather is here and we can get out and hopefully over the summer n

Bagelsandbrie · 14/01/2021 08:33

These are extreme and unprecedented times. I don’t think any of us can be or should be worrying about this at the moment. Just surviving is enough!

frustrationcentral · 14/01/2021 08:36

@Forgetmenot157

It is hard... Unfortunately tho life is ran on screens now... Its just the way it is... A child who is a whizz on technology from an early age will do well in the current world we live in.

I'm clinging on to this too, hopefully we'll end up with a generation who are very good at working their way around a computer!

It's far from ideal but it is what it is. My DS's are now spending their lives on screens - past the age of playing with toys etc. I'm not going to try and change it, it isn't their fault they are having to spend all day stuck to a computer, so I'm not going to take away their social time on Xbox/phones later - they're both having a hard enough time not seeing friends as it is.

We do try and play a board game or watch a film together at the weekend, but I'm not stressing about it

ChocOrange1 · 14/01/2021 08:42

I dont think there is something inherently bad about looking at a screen. I think the problem with TV is that they arent using their brains, just staring blankly at it. That shouldn't be the case for school work.

How much would they usually be outdoors at this time of year? An hour at lunchtime and 10 mins at break? Maybe a walk to and from school. 2 hours max. If your children have 3 hours of school work to do could you fit in 2 hours of outdoor walks/play as well?

Tarararara · 14/01/2021 08:44

I'm clinging on to this too, hopefully we'll end up with a generation who are very good at working their way around a computer!

I think this will be true - not necessarily as programming whizes or anything - but an understanding of what to do when your web-cam mic toggles off, or if you can't get into a zoom meeting using the link, or if you want to do a screenshot then use editing software to fill it in etc. I also notice my DS (when bored during online lessons!) quite often exploring and playing around with the settings.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 14/01/2021 08:48

I encourage no screens from 3.30-6. That's a lot easier with a non working parent and 2 children who happily play together most of the time. Their school work is flexible, so I can get them outside early afternoon for an hour or so rather than 'after school' when it's dark and miserable.

If only this rain would stop...

(And the words 'go for a walk' are enough to make them hide. Bikes, scooters, play in the garden are all fine!)

Tarararara · 14/01/2021 08:54

I dont think there is something inherently bad about looking at a screen

See, I think there is something inherently bad about sitting at a desk, staring at a screen for 12 hours a day (I'm talking secondary, gaming kids here). I don't think it's good for their eyes, their brain development (effects of flicker) or their backs.

But as I say above, what can you do, if the only thing making this enforced isolation bearable for them is to play online with their friends?

CalmDownBoris72 · 14/01/2021 09:10

I think we have to give ourselves a break on this subject, yes it’s a lot of screen time but there isn’t really a workable alternative. It won’t be forever.

I try to get them out after the first learning block for a walk (it’s pouring down today though!) so they at least get some daylight early on in the day.

Also, for my reception aged child I’ve just bought some CGP phonics and maths workbooks from Amazon as I find the PowerPoints sent for him are a bit rubbish and he struggles to engage with them so I’ll just find the relevant work in the books so that we’re doing the same things.

arethereanyleftatall · 14/01/2021 09:50

I think 'being on a screen' means different things to different kids; it isn't one size fits all.

My Dd, 12, is 'on her phone' all day long. I have no problem with this whatsoever, because what she's actually doing is having a play date in the only way you're allowed at the moment. A virtual play date. They're a group of friends all on - I think I it's house party or WhatsApp video chat or whatever. She props her phone up in the corner, and they dance a lot, they cook their lunch together, they bake cakes, they chat. Her phone is her only connection to her friends that she would ordinarily see for 8 hours per day. I think it would be a mistake to demonise phones at the moment, and assume their only function is to bully others and cause brain rot.

A friend of mine only allows her 12yo half an hour a day outside of school on his phone amd I think it's wrong. That's his friends at the moment. He's missing out. So, he's sitting at home bored for hours whilst all his friends are interacting. He doesn't want to play board games with her, he wants to talk to his friends.

pistachionuts · 14/01/2021 09:54

I think lockdown with the weather combined means it’s a case of ‘getting through this whatever it takes’ and that means relaxing screen time for a lot of kids

Summer lockdown was much easier, my DS was in and out the garden but its harder now.

HoppingOnSteppingStones · 14/01/2021 09:56

Yes. My son actually said to me the other day. School day to have less screen time but happy for me to sit on zoom for 6 hours. With 25 min break in the middle.

He had a point but also he understands that its the only option right now.

However. He's struggling to switch off at night, his eyes hurt and getting blood shot.

He recently saw optician and no issues.

pistachionuts · 14/01/2021 09:56

I’m also finding my own screen time is really high (I’m typing this on my phone right now). I have an increased need to feel ‘connected’ to the outside world and sheer boredom combined, it’s the same for kids

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