Q: How do we handle screen time and kids during COVID-19? How much time is too much?
A: Many parents are concerned that their kids are spending more time on screens than ever before. Instead of focusing on the amount of time spent, I suggest you consider the 3 C’s: content, context and child. In other words, check the content they are viewing, know the context in which your child is interacting with media and understand your child to know which forms of media they learn from and if they are having difficulty disengaging from screens. There's a lot of great high-quality content out there, so let your kids use it and use it with them. Also, remember that regular use of technology to communicate with others right now can be beneficial for kids that are feeling isolated in maintaining social connections and emotional well-being. Finally, if you are still worried about your child’s media use, create a daily schedule with time for device free activities, consider making a family media plan, ensure devices are removed from bedrooms at night and make sure you as a parent are modelling good screen time behavior. Right now, don’t deprive kids of something they enjoy and that research has shown to have positive effects when used appropriately.