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Last spring I wrote a health tip regarding screen time for Friday Notes. After seeing Pam’s Tech Note this week it seemed like the perfect time to re-publish that note. If you have made strides since last year in reducing your children’s screen time, congratulations! If you are struggling to make lasting family changes in the amount of screen time spent by your children, think of this as another opportunity to begin the process. Good luck!

Do you know that:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time (computer, T.V. or video games) for children <2 years old and no more than 2 hours per day of quality screen time for children older than 2?
• One out of every 5 American children is obese? We used to figure that since children are growing we didn’t have to worry if they were heavy but studies are showing that overweight children are now having some of the same health problems as overweight adults (diabetes, joint and bone problems, hypertension) and are likely to remain overweight throughout their lives (CDC, 2011).
• Studies have found that obesity is significantly related to the amount of time in front of screens children spend? The more a child watches T.V. or plays electronic games, the less physical activity they engage in. One study showed a 2-fold increase risk of obesity by hour per day spent playing electronic games (Stettler, Signer & Suter, 2004).

Use of screens is often what our kids want to do—it is often what we want to do too. T.V, Facebook and electronic games can be relaxing and enjoyable. I recommend that you try and limit or reduce your children’s screen time. Some families choose to not have a T.V. or to limit all access to screens during the school week. Take whatever small steps toward the goal that you can. It is possible to make changes that, over time, will become second nature to your children. Below I have made a few suggestions to get you started or to support the good work that you are already doing.

Health Tip: Reduce Screen Time

1. Allow use of screens only in communal areas (e.g. keep the T.V. in the living room, use computers only in communal areas, limit access to hand-held devices like iphones and gameboys).
2. Limit the amount of time your children are allowed screen time to <2 hours/day (possibly excluding homework time).
3. Read to your children and encourage them to read more.
4. Play games as a family.
5. Encourage outdoor play (yes, even during winter).
6. Set a good example—limit your own screen time!

Wishing you a healthy winter,

Nurse Robin