Unplugged Play Is Essential for Children’s Healthy Development

 Unplugged Play Is Essential for a Child’s Healthy Development

Did you know that the average American child spends around 8 hours a day in front of screens? That’s 56 hours…more hours than a full-time job! Where’s the unplugged play time?

While, of course, technology has a lot of great benefits, the fact that kids are spending so much time in front of a screen isn’t good. Yes, we want our children to feel comfortable using technology since it is an essential skill. But they are learning those skills at school!

I grew up in 70s and 80s. We had television, and Atari was just hitting the markets. I sure didn’t have one though! Mobile technology wasn’t even a thing! Well, if it was, the government was keeping it to themselves. I remember being so excited in high school when we got to have computer class where we got to “play” on an Apple computer. There was some mystery game we played. You had to give the computer commands like, “Go kitchen. Go drawer. Get knife.” Big time tech there!

Today, things have changed. Unplugged play is like something from the “old days.” My sisters and I played with Lincoln Logs and Fisher Price people. We’d go outside to ride bikes, play freeze tag and “lost kids.” Don’t ask! We had vivid imaginations. Playing is so important for a child’s mental well-being, physical well-being, psychological well-being and emotional well-being.

Thank you to WPSpublish.com for this graphic.

The Research

Did you know that our minds don’t fully develop until we are 25! Our impulse control is basically out of control until we turn 25. Think of all of the decisions you made before you were 25! If you’re like I am, you probably made some pretty stupid ones. That’s one of the reasons car insurance goes down after you turn 25. I’m waiting for that day for my kids!

So, you really can’t expect your child to control their urge to pick up an iPad or video game when they’re bored. They get instant gratification from it, and sadly, we’re probably somewhat responsible for that. How many times have you handed your little one your phone, and put on “Baby Shark” so you can have a moment of peace?

Excessive device use is risky and harmful

Excessive screen time and not enough unplugged time is associated with plenty of problems, including:

• Problems Sleeping
• Weight Gain
• Impaired Social Skills
• Depression
• Poor Academic Performance
• Violent Tendencies
• Anxiety

Content matters as much as time

While it’s important for parents to set time limits on screen time, monitoring the quality of the content kids are engaging with during that time is just as important if not, more.

Educational apps aren’t always what they say they are. Do some research and ask other parents if you’re not sure about an app your kids want to use.

Screen time and COVID-19 Quarantine

While most of us may live in states where the full quarantine has been lifted, we’re still encouraged to limit activities outside of our homes. So how has this pandemic affected screen time? Check out these stats from NortonLifeLock.

Screens & Quarantine: Digital Parenting in a Pandemic (courtesy of NortonLifeLock)

This new study reveals how the current pandemic has impacted children’s at-home screen time, device access and parents’ concerns around Cyber Safety. The study underscored that nearly 7 out of 10 parents (69%) said that their child’s screen time has heightened during the pandemic, with around 3 in 5 feeling they have no choice but to allow it (60%) and that they accept certain risks to their child’s online safety to keep them entertained and occupied (57%).

Screen time study

Conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll, more than 1,000 U.S. parents of children ages 5-17 were interviewed for the study, revealing nearly half (49%) have had to abandon some, if not all, of their previous rules for screen time.

The study found children are spending roughly 1.5 more hours in front of screens per day on school days, excluding time spent for school purposes – a 52% increase in screen time compared to prior to the outbreak.

Almost 7 in 10 parents (67%) indicated that their child’s unsupervised screen time has increased due to the pandemic’s effect on work and school. Among those who said their child’s screen time has skyrocketed during the pandemic

Additional findings from the NortonLifeLock Screens & Quarantine: Digital Parenting in a Pandemic Study include:

• Nearly 2 in 3 parents (63%) have indicated that they have lowered their standards for appropriate screen time because of the pandemic. To note, more than half of parents (52%) said that they were worried that they were not setting a good example because they spend too much time on their own devices.
• Some parents are purchasing devices for their child because of the pandemic. Around 3 in 10 parents have purchased a device (tablet (33%), gaming console (31%), smartphone (30%) or laptop/PC (26%) for their child during the pandemic.
• As screen time skyrockets and socialization moves online, parents are inevitably concerned about their child being exposed to cyberbullying (61%), especially those of middle school aged children (11-13 years) (69%).
  • Parents are also concerned about other aspects of their child’s online safety including: online predators (67%); location tracking (66%); online accounts being hacked (60%); and family’s devices being infected by viruses (50%).

What can you do?

As a parent, it can be hard to find balance between technology and unplugged play. We’re busier now than ever. It’s a lot easier to give your child an iPad than it is to go on a family bike ride. It’s not like it used to be when our parents could just send us outside to play. We have to actually watch our kids if they want to go outside. Plus, playing with actual toys can make a mess…oh the horror!

You’ve got to set limits, and how you set those limits is important. Here are some tips:

Practice what you preach

Ouch! This hits close to home, doesn’t it? If you’re telling your kids to put their phones away at the dinner table, do the same. If you take the limits seriously, they will too.

Kids watch us closer than we think. Grab a book and read when you tell your child to do the same. Don’t just jump on the computer. Get some exercise with them. We all could do with some unplugged play.

Don’t let the kids take their phones or tech with them to bed

Screens emit a special type of ‘blue light’ that messes with melatonin – the hormone that helps us sleep. Even if you put your phone or your child’s phone on night mode with a filtered light, you have no idea what they’re doing on those phones after you go to bed. You want to keep your kids safe, and taking their phones away at night is a start.

Some easy ways to set limits on screen time

There is a lot of value in using technology to manage technology. I’m sure you have found that when you tell your kids that it’s almost time or time to put their tech away, it creates arguments that you just don’t want to have. Use software to your advantage to automatically shut devices off or control the apps your kids use. You can even see the texts your kids are sending and to whom they’re sending them!

No. It isn’t spying! You are the mom or dad. You are in charge of your child’s safety. Like I said before, our brains don’t work correctly until we’re 25! Okay, they work, but they don’t make very good decisions. Just watch the news. There are BAD people out there. Keeping your kids safe is not spying on them.

Check out tools from NortonLifeLock

NortonLifeLock helps families to more safely explore our connected world with products like Norton 360 and Norton Family, and by providing education, tools and resources in concert with National PTA and other organizations.

For more information and tips, please visit NortonLifeLock: www.nortonlifelock.com.

More Tools you can use

You can find a lot of apps in the iPS App Store or the Google Play Store. The best parental control apps change every year because technology is always changing. Don’t skimp. Most of these apps are ones you pay for yearly, but they’re worth it. These are the apps recommended by Digital Trends, and you can go to the link above to find out more about each app.

1. FamilyTime
2. Qustodio
3. Eset Parental Control
4. Web Watcher
5. Norton Family Premier

Technology isn’t your enemy, and it’s not all bad for your kids. But, you have to have limits. Make sure you and your child get unplugged play time. It’s all about balance, just like everything is in our lives.

UNPLUG WITH SCIENCE BACKED EXERCISES

For the perfect non-screen activity to do with your kids, Tommy John created three science-backed exercises such as an emotional grid, a goal setting worksheet, and a conversational cube to teach skills like identifying emotions, working through challenges and practicing positive self-talk.

These printables are perfect for learning life’s teachable moments (even during unknown times) and make for a great non-screen activity to do together. If you’re interested in trying these out at home, download the printables below.

Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix

I recently watched this documentary, and let me tell you, it is eye-opening! It’s a MUST watch for parents, and if you don’t have kids, watch it anyway! It’s for everyone!

What tips do you have for helping to manage screen time and get some unplugged play?