WAIT — SCREEN TIME IS GOOD FOR KIDS? How a Balanced Media Diet Bolsters Child Development
If you Google the effects of screen time on children, you’re sure to be bombarded by horror stories. Numerous articles claim that, beginning in infancy, the more time a child spends in front of a TV, phone, or computer, the worse their developmental outcomes will be.
a tree or running in the backyard. But in October of 2016, they offered new recommendations for parents.
For infants and young toddlers, the research still sides pretty heavily against the use of iPads and television. Before 18 months of age, a child lacks the cognitive capabilities allowing them to apply the lessons of technology to real life, and even after that, the APP recommends that media consumption should be limited to “high-quality programming, such as the content offered by Sesame Workshop and PBS.”
At first glance, the research is utterly conclusive. It seems we should throw out every TV in our house, smash our kids’ smartphones, and usher our children into the great outdoors
as soon as possible. But what most of these studies fail to take into account is the content of the electronic media. If a child spends two hours a day bingeing episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” or screaming obscenities into a headset while playing “Call of Duty,” it’s going to negatively impact their experience of the world along with their mental and physical health. But not all content is created equal.
But for kids ages 5 and up, parents should avoid banning screen time outright, but function as their child’s media mentor. Instead of decrying time spent building complex structures in “Minecraft” as hours that could be spent on the soccer
field, we should set expectations and boundaries to ensure that children can deepen their experience of the world through media, not hamper it. The problem starts not with the screen itself, but
when the consumption of media becomes problematic, replacing regular face-to-face interactions and physical activity. But with a balanced media diet, kids can have the best of both worlds.
In the past, the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommended strict limits
on electronic engagement for kids, following the old line of thinking that any kind of screen time would be better spent climbing
The Largest Tax Law Change Since Reagan
Standard Deduction Doubled When the bill was originally proposed, the objective was to make your taxes easier. By raising the standard deduction from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples, many Americans will move away from itemizing their deductions, thus simplifying the process as whole. Child Tax Credit Doubled The standard deduction isn’t the only item being doubled. Doubling the child tax credit to $2000 per child makes life a little easier on families by putting more money in their pockets. Corporate Tax Cut Earnings are expected to increase for big and small businesses alike with the corporate tax decrease. By slashing this an astonishing 14 percent, many business will have more income at their disposal to do with what they please.
As this current tax season descends upon us and preparations take shape, we’ve brought you the new tax reforms coming down the pipe so you’re prepared for your fiscal year. This wasn’t just a simple budget cut, but rather the largest tax overhaul since Ronald Reagan was president. We went through all the new laws and found some highlights so you can stay in the loop moving forward. When It Takes Effect One of the most important aspects of the new reform is to understand that these changes will not affect your 2017 taxes. If you’re still waiting to file your taxes because you’re unsure of what the reform means for you, don’t wait any longer. The new laws won’t go into effect until it’s time for your 2018 taxes.
This tax reformmeans different things for every American. It’s important to stay informed so that you can make the best decisions for both you and your family. Our team of qualified attorneys specialize in tax defense and resolution. If you’re interested in more information on how this reform affects you or your business, contact us today.
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