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What is
Screen Time?
Screen time can be defined as the time spent in front of an electronic
device. This includes Television, Video games, DVD movies, email,
instant messaging, non-school related computer usage. Pediatricians and
child development experts now recommend children's
screen
time be limited to no more than
two hours per day. Parents of children under the age of two are
generally encouraged to allow no
screen time at all.
The
use of electronic media has infiltrated almost every aspect of our daily
lives. However, the impact of all this
time in front of a screen
is not entirely positive. While some media exposure can be useful and
informative, too much screen
time takes away from other
activities. It should come as no surprise that pastimes such as
reading for pleasure, playing board games, and volunteering within
the community have been on a steady decline in recent years. In
addition, many experts believe the amount of
time on the computer/video
game/etc a person spends in a typical day is a significant risk
factor for obesity-related health problems.
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We Can! has resources for everyone.
We Can! provides families and communities with a
variety of materials and other references to learn about nutrition,
energy balance, and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. Check out
our resources about
weight management
nutrition
physical activity and
reducing screen time
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A
study by the National Public Radio (NPR) found that On
average, TV viewers watch more than an hour of commercials every day...
-Most people average more than eight hours a day facing a screen of some
sort - whether it be a television, computer, mobile phone or even GPS.
Read full article
here
A national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that
with technology allowing nearly 24-hour media access as children and
teens go about their daily lives, the amount of time young people spend
with entertainment media has risen dramatically, especially among
minority youth. Today, 8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and
38 minutes (7:38) Read Full article
here
What can
busy Parents do to limit screen time?
The most common recommendation is to remove televisions and computers
from your child's bedroom. Keeping electronic media in central
areas of the house makes it easier for you to set limits regarding
appropriate usage. Avoid using television, video games, and computer
time as a reward for good behavior. Provide plenty of other
recreational activities for your child to enjoy and strive to set a good
example for your children with regards to your own media usage.
What can
teenagers and school age children do to limit screen time?
Spend time doing
homework, talking with parents, exercising, or reading for pleasure.
Ask parents to
join you in taking walks, riding bikes, or
playing sports or active games together.
Set a
reasonable goal, aim to do something active for
at least 60 minutes each day.
Ask friends
for screen free play dates.
Plan some
quiet down-time. Read a book, listen to
music, write a story, draw, create an art
project.
We are all in this together!
Tips to reduce Screen Time
from The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
"Talk to Your
Family"
Explain to
your kids that it's important to sit less and move
more in order to stay at a healthy weight..."
Read full article
here
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How do you know if you really need to
reduce screen time?
The total screen time can really surprise
you when you add it all up. After all, you are only spending a
couple of hours a day on the X-Box. And then there is the TV,
and the DVD Movie. Oops, almost forgot the non-school related
time on the laptop.
Are you Multi-tasking?
That's what you do when you have the TV on, while listening to your
MP3 player, while searching for game cards on the laptop, while
sending a text message to your friends and let's not forget
Homework!
It all adds up, as much as 40-60 hours a
week. That's a lot of time!
What can you and your family do to keep
track of all that time?
Print and complete this
log to determine how much time you are spending in
front of a screen. Help your family do the same.
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