Wait—Screen Time Is Good for Kids?
If you Google the effects of screen time on children, you’re sure to be bombarded with 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. 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 binging 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. 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
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.” 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.
TESTIMONIALS
“I got hit while riding my bicycle a few years ago and suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries. All of the folks at VanMeveren Law
team got the maximum settlement amount from both insurance companies, seemingly with ease. They were able to negotiate with my health insurance and the treatment centers and significantly lower what I owed them. I can’t recommend using them enough. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to receive compensation for what I went through, let alone pay off my treatments. I never once had to worry about that side of the ordeal and was able to focus on restoring my health. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” –Z.F.
Group were encouraging and empathetic through that difficult time. They are a truly honest and upstanding firm, and they are the most capable of handling your case. Matt Fermelia took charge of my case and followed up with me each week to see howmy condition was progressing. I always left feeling encouraged by him while undergoing my treatments. His integrity is of the highest I’ve come across, and he truly cares about his clients no matter how small the case. With their inside knowledge of how insurance companies work, their
Page 2
www.vanmeverenlaw.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs