How Much "Technology" is Too Much?

How much "technology" is too much? For many parents in the digital age, battles over screen time and devices have become a part of family life, and knowing how much is too much has become a moving target. New research has discovered these recent stats. Do you find them alarming, or just a sign of the times?

In a typical day, children consume just over three hours of media. This includes computer use, cell phone use, tablet use, music, and reading. Two thirds of this time is spent with "screen media" (TV, computers, the Internet, etc.) while reading is less than 20 minutes per day.
The time spent with on screen media dramatically increases from the toddler to preschool to school-age years. Children under two have a screen time average of 53 minutes per day. This increases to almost two and a half hours per day among two to four year old and almost three hours for kids in the five to eight year old range.
Although the use of computers, the internet, and electronic devices are steadily increasing among children, television remains the type of media that children spend the most time with. Sixty-five percent of children under eight years old watch television daily. On average, they spend about an hour and a half (100 minutes to be exact) watching TV every day.
As a group, children under eight spend an average of 25 minutes per day playing video games.
66% of all children under the age of two have watched television.
Television watching typically begins at 9 months of age.
Compared to watching television, playing video games starts later, but nearly half of all two to four year olds have played video games. This increases dramatically just a few years later - 81% have played video game console games and 90% use computers.
10% of children under eight-years-old use educational software and 6% use a computer for homework.
11% of children under eight years old use a cell phone, iPod, or iPad / tablet.
Listening to music actually decreases from birth to age eight. Children up to a year old spend an average of 39 minutes per day listening to music, 30 minutes at ages two to four, and just 23 minutes at ages five to eight.
By age eight, 96% of children have watched TV, 90% have used a computer, 81% have played console video games, and 60% have played games or used apps on a portable device (cell phone, handheld gaming system, iPod, or tablet).

Ways to Limit Technology

Admittedly, it is easy to simply turn on the TV or let your kids play a video game when they complain about being bored. However, there are many options when it comes to finding alternative forms of entertainment if and when you choose to.

Letting kids use technology with limits can be achieved if you keep some of these key tips from verywelll.com in mind:

Do not put a TV in your child’s room. Having a TV in the bedroom has been linked to a number of problems including lower test scores, sleeping problems, and obesity.

Turn it off. When the kids are not watching a specific program, turn off the television. Keep it off during mealtimes and especially when they are studying or doing homework.

Help your child choose a video game or a show. The best way to know what your child is watching or playing is by helping her pick out a show or a game. When picking out a new family movie or game, read the reviews, watch previews, or ask other parents. Above all, know your child and trust your own instincts on what is appropriate.

Place time limits. Whether it’s one hour of TV and video games a day or a couple of hours a week, limit the amount of time your child spends with technology. More importantly, be committed and stick to those times you set.

Opt for alternatives to technology-based activities. Find great ways to spend family time together without tech devices, such as by playing board games or enjoying the outdoors.