xbox controller by j_castro at www.sxc.hu
This is the 2nd post on this topic, the previous post dealt with considerations for children and media.
Our family is always considering how to manage media in our home with children between the ages of 1 and 9. It seems that we are always saying “no,” especially in the winter and they are always wanting more. I asked my Facebook friends to share how they handle media in their home and got some good responses as well. So here is a list of ways families are managing media in their homes. I hope it will be helpful to you to consider and give you some practical feedback on your current plan.
- Families shoot for 2 hours or less of media per day. The “experts” recommend this and several families echoed this thought. Many families limit it to 1 hour a day. Our family typically shoots for not more than 30 minutes of game time a day and typically 30 minutes to 1 hour of TV.
- Families make a distinction between TV viewing and video games or tablet game playing. Games are much more intense and create more anxiety, worse temperament, and do not educate. TV, if managed well, has valuable learning aspects and is not as intense upon the eyes and mind.
- Families use media time as a reward. The Fry family created the “iPass” with each child getting 3-a-day and each pass being worth 10 minutes. They must set the timer when using a device. They ask permission to use an iPass and can lose them for poor behavior. Brandon Bassham says his family starts with an hour of media time during week nights which includes all types of media. When children get in trouble they lose minutes. In our home, Amanda has used 20 marbles for Landon which equal 20 minutes of iPad game time. Marbles, and thus time, is taken away for poor behavior. He doesn’t understand time well, but he does marbles and the connection with time on the device.
- Families have decided to cut their cable or satellite TV. We have only used an antenna for the past 2 years. Chad Thompson believes this helps them control media because they don’t have any TV service. This saves money. I have talked to numerous families who use Netflix and love the control it gives. You don’t have to worry about commercials and you know exactly the show being watched. It also saves time because you start a show on your schedule. Scott Adams made the observation that a DVR has helped their family in controlling content and limiting commercials.
- Families try to encourage their children to get involved in traditional activities. Parents should encourage cards, board games, cross-word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, reading, and outside play. Our kids generally grumble when made to go find something to do, but enjoy it once they get involved in the activity.
- Families allow for flexibility in media usage. Most every family has constant fluctuation on this issue. Families see special occasions as opportunities to use media more. Most allow more usage on the weekend, during the winter, or during sickness. Some families commented that their kids are busy most of the day with school, homework, practices, and supper thus, there often isn’t time for media.
- Families see the need and importance of communicating and working well together. Parents need to discuss their media plan, rules, and regulations. Parents need to enforce the agreed upon guidelines. This actually can be an area of disagreement by parents. They should work to respect one another and always present a unified front to the children.
- Families do not leave the TV on throughout the day. They use TV intentionally and don’t just let it run in the background.
- Families are led by parents who understand they are the true owners. They control the wifi and internet access which should be filtered and monitored. They control the video game systems, TVs, iPods, or tablets. It may be the “child’s,” but it truly belongs to the parents. The child doesn’t control the device, but must work within the framework of the parent’s rules. Parents should not forfeit this important distinction.
Media usage and children is something that must constantly be managed. Develop a plan for your family and modify as needed.
What other tips or suggestions would you have?
