Screen time! seriously? In BC era perhaps but it is DC era now…

New era new rules. So the eras that are relevant  for our students and/or children are BC,  DC and then hopefully soon AC … Before Corona, During Corona and After Corona. These are the eras that I think should be considered to define the new rules for screen time. The expectations and negotiations with the Gen. Z (born between 1998 and 2012 – of the ages 7 to 22 in 2019) will have to consider DC carefully, with a new filter. How can the regular recommendations of  WHO or of the various paediatric associations for the screen time, where time is the key measure, be possibly relevant in DC?

The key factors for considering screen time During Corona would not be ‘how much’ time but the following instead:

• What is the content that is being consumed :
  • A violent game v/s content that is age appropriate, interactive, educational and/or a strategy game.
  • Is the content making your child learn, think critically and problem solve, socially interact?
  • Try out the content yourself and look at the reviews and recommendations for authenticity of what is being claimed by the content site.

• Who is the screen time being spent with :
  • Is the time on screen spent along with you – a parent and/or teacher?
  • With their grandparents co-watching something or playing a game with their peers/siblings that is age appropriate?
  • Who is your child’s screen buddy at a given time?
  • What can you/your child discuss while viewing a content or playing?
  • Hw can you manage screen time as co-viewing for younger children?
  • Can you create a set up where you can spend screen time that is more of co-engaging with your older children?
  • Definitely check out the apps, games and sites that your children are spending time with to know more and make sure that they are quality experiences for your child/student.

Go ahead, learn from them and with them. Long hours of screen time alone is not appropriate at any age whether child or Adult.

When my much grown up son told me on a recent call that he is enjoying computer games while working from home and is finding it relaxing to do so after many years… it rung a bell. It is DC. This is not the time to count the amount of time spent with screen. It is how you spend it and who you spend it with. Theatres, Operas, Safaris, Museums, Games, Puzzles, stories, movies… from the best in the world is out there, and mostly free or very nominal subscriptions.  Let us co-view with the younger ones, co-engage with the older ones and wade through the DC times staying safe with screen time indoors.

What have you played recently with your child? Which sites would you recommend for your students? Educational and/or recreational. Please share them with me and fellow readers and subscribe to my blog post here with your email to receive an update when I publish a new one. It is free 🙂