Studies show that children who watch five or more hours of TV per day are much more likely to try cigarettes and alcohol.
Benefits of Media Use
- Stay connected with friends and family.
- Enhance creativity through the sharing of ideas, music, and art.
- Meet and interact with others who share similar interests.
- Research school projects and communicate with teachers.
- Play interactive games
Risks of Media Use
- Linked to obesity, sleep loss, school issues, aggression and behavior problems
- Increases exposure to cyberbullying
- Sharing personal info online can attract predators
- Kids may stumble on inappropriate content through ads or simple typing errors
Reducing the risks
- Start the Conversation: Let your child know you respect their privacy and care about their safety. Keep communication open about what they’re doing online.
- Stay Involved: Know which apps and platforms your child uses (like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Discord) and check in regularly about their media habits and interactions.
- Model Your Values:Watch shows, scroll social media or play games together. Use these moments to talk about your family’s values and what respectful, safe behavior looks like online.
- Set Clear Boundaries:Create a media use plan as a family—this could include no devices during meals, screen-free time before bed and daily time limits on entertainment media. Avoid screen time for children under two.
- Be a Role Model: Kids learn from what they see. Show healthy habits with your own tech use by balancing screen time, setting boundaries and being present.