A screen time question for SP

[steppo]

Hi all, I need advice from parents!

My partner and I don't agree on various parenting decisions, and as I'm a STEP PARENT it just sounds like I'm moaning. I don't do much discipline in the house as he has two parents and I don't quite feel it's my place. (Another discussion)

We bought him a big TV for Christmas for his bedroom, I wasn't sold on the idea, I think he's too young (age 10). I said, if he has a TV in his bedroom he will then have a screen in every room and never have any down time (ie play solely with toys or draw/creative things, make dens etc)

So since Christmas if he is in his room (bar sleep time) the TV is on. Always. And if he's downstairs the TV is on. Always. (although he watches kids programmes) What bothers me...is that he constantly watches YouTube, mainly watching people playing Minecraft or some other game. He does that more than actually playing the game himself. I'm bothered about how listening to over-confident American YouTubers (or annoying Brits for that matter) alllll the time, is affecting his social development. How is this influencing him at age 10? It's also ANNOYING AS HELL hearing YouTubers going on all the time.

There are basic controls on the TV (its a smart TV) but he goes on YouTube without signing in and my partner very rarely checks what he goes on. (and now I doubt she knows how) He's developed some strange fears for a 10 year old thanks to YouTube videos he's watched so thats a big negative.

How would you approach this if your partner wasn't doing anything about it? What can we do to monitor his smart TV/PC? What is reasonable screen time for 10 year olds?

Any advice would be great!

Outside of explaining your concern to the child’s parents this isn’t your business, and I’d be reluctant to get involved

It's easy for people to say it's none of your business but at the end of the day it's going to directly affect you and your relationship with your partner if the child's behaviour is negatively impacted by their screen time in years to come. Saying that I don't think it can necessarily be your place to put your foot down about it.
You'd have to go about it very carefully.

Maybe ask your partner what they think is a normal amount of time, making them think about it may help them realise the child is spending way too much time in front of screens.

Suggest going to the park and out for walks when you can, playing board games together or building Lego or other games together. Anything that is a positive alternative to the telly. You can only try!

Good luck!