As an integrative therapist I gather and consider information from a range of different theories. I endeavour to make sure that anything I post on any platform is evidence based and backed by scientific research.
As we venture into August and the midst of the summer holidays I have been reflecting on recent conversations I’ve had with parents, and myself through my own parenting lens, about children and young people’s access to screen time particularly during school holidays. What is too much? How do we create boundaries around it? My child becomes dysregulated after being on a screen, why is this? Should I just ban them from accessing it?
Consideration about these questions led me to think about three areas; balance, brains and intuition…
Balance – this word seems to pop up everywhere but a resource that I have found very useful when explaining it to parents is Dr Dan Siegal’s ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’. This outlines seven daily essential mental activities necessary for optimal brain health and well-being and may be helpful for parents when thinking about the length of time spent on devices/screens and how they could be integrated into the day. Follow this link to find out more: Healthy Mind Platter - Dr. Dan Siegel
Brains – I’m passionate about educating both parents and children about our brains as they can have a profound effect on human behaviour. If you notice low mood or irritability, particularly when coming off screens, I suggest at least 20 minutes of outside time to rebalance serotonin levels. The movement that comes with being outside will also help to shift energy and trigger the release of dopamine.
Dr Catherine Knibbs has done some groundbreaking research on how to talk to children of different ages about screen time and how to keep children safe online. Her book Tech Smart Parenting’ is an excellent resource and covers boundary setting and her thoughts on banning access: Tech-Smart Parenting: How to keep your kids happy and safe online : Knibbs, Catherine: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Consider also the nature of what is being watched; sitting watching a film with a narrative for 2 hours will affect the brain and body very differently to half an hour scrolling through You Tube or playing a fast -paced video game. Also consider what time of day it is; looking at screens inhibits the production of melatonin which is needed to support with sleep. Allowing at least an hours break from a screen before bed will help children to get to sleep more quickly.
The BBC are currently airing a children’s drama called Jamie Johnson. Jamie Johnson - BBC iPlayer. A good one to watch together! The story revolves around a football team and is packed full of relatable themes for children and young people; offering valuable opportunities for parent/child discussions.
And last but most definitely NOT least!!!
Intuition – I speak about this with every parent I meet; your gut feeling or inner hunch. That felt sense that you get before you’ve even had time to think about something. You know your child better than anyone and every human being is different. Parenting support from external sources can act as a guide and play a part in informing your decisions but it is really important to listen that gut feeling; what works for one family may not be right for another family and what works for one child may not be right for another child.
And if it all goes wrong sometimes that’s ok! Children need ‘Good Enough’ when it comes to parenting, a topic which I’m going to talk more about in my next newsletter which you can access by clicking on the button below!