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I'm often concerned that studies that assess screen time (especially in contrast to reading or other cognitively rich activities) don't seem (ever, so far as I
by jMyles 7y ago
I'm often concerned that studies that assess screen time (especially in contrast to reading or other cognitively rich activities) don't seem (ever, so far as I can tell) to assess two areas that seem important:
1) The distinction in content being delivered via a screen: ie, does watching Mighty Pups result in measurably different brain activity or development than Studio Ghibli films? Common sense suggests so, but why aren't these studies assessing that?
2) The function of a parent or adult companion to help with understanding and integration of the content - does watching media alone result in different outcomes than watching with an attentive parent?
However, this study doesn't even seem to actually measure any aspect of screen time at all - it just looked at differences between households that used "Get ready to READ!", a particular reading curriculum which requires parents and children to read together, vs those that didn't.
I think books and screen time are both important. Given the incredible ability for parents to curate decades of incredible digital media, from series to TV to classic video games, it seems crazy to me to refrain from substantial collaboration with our kids in enjoying and reflecting on these media.
Now, sometimes parents end up using screen time as a way of babysitting, with media that hasn't even been viewed by the parent, much less together with the child. I admit that I myself have occasionally fallen into this form, but I don't like it, and it's not what I'm talking about when I suggest that screen time is an overall good thing.
But why aren't these studies measuring that difference?!
My 4-year-old gets a lot of screen time (and a lot of book time, and board game time) and I think that's great. We play classic NES and SNES games, watch age-appropriate (but socially meaningful) movies, and explore the internet together to learn about his interests. Until a serious study (ideally much larger than this one, with 70 participants) actually addresses the realities of the media being delivered and the methodology and its delivery, I find it hard to take seriously for making my own parenting decisions.
- citizenkeen 7y agoGood on you for watching with your kid. My wife is a pediatric OT and her mother (who is quite active with my son) is a kindergarten teacher, and their observation over the last ten/thirty years (respectively) is that the major culprit isn't screen time, it's screen time as a babysitter/mollifier. My 3yo gets 30-45 minutes of screen time a day. But there's always an adult with him, there to talk about it, etc. After evaluating behavioral problems in kids and their home lifes, my wife is convinced that while there are concerns about tablet video games in toddlers, etc., half the culprit is parents saying "I'll just leave Sally here to watch Super Wings while I go cook dinner."
- watwut 7y agoI don't like watching toddlers shows. It is maybe odd think to point out, but most adult are indifferent at best and actively dislike them at worst. I am also no sure what congnitive gain kid would have from me sitting there and attentively watching Peppa the pig too.
- jMyles 7y agoYou don't have to watch Peppa Pig. And if you do, you can (the first time through) curate episodes that are better (like the composting one) and just not repeat the really stupid ones. Old school Sesame Street is a lot of fun for adults. The early Zelda games are great. Kiki, Ponyo, and Totoru are staples. I mean, like I said, this an incredible wealth of content from the past few decades; don't dwell on Peppa.
- watwut 7y agoIt is still completely pointless. There is no reason to prevent kid to see an episode of peppa the pig I personally like the least. It is not like the kid would be harmed by seeing episode of peppa that I personally find stupid. There are million things I would still like better then watching any of that. And also, most importantly, the idea that parent needs to be glued to child constantly and should do anything else any time is what I disagree with too. Should you ignore kid all the time? No, it is neglect. Can the kid play alone some times or watch peppa without parent? Absolutely yes.
- jMyles 7y agoI mean, yeah sure. But consuming media for the first time without a parent? Ideally, no, I think it's good to be with them the first time they see something.