Last summer, after coming across an intriguing article about a mother who gave her children unlimited screen time, I decided to try a little experiment. This mom shared her exhaustion from playing the role of the “Screen Monitor” and suggested that instead of limiting screen time, she would allow her kids unlimited access—under one condition: they needed to finish their exercise, creativity projects, reading, and chores first.
At first, I was doubtful. As parents from the 20th century raising kids in the 21st, we’re inundated with advice to restrict screen time and keep a watchful eye on our children’s online activities. It’s almost a rite of passage to judge fellow parents when we see kids glued to devices while waiting for soccer practice or dining out. The debate around screen time has become a hot topic among parents, especially those of us hovering at the bus stop.
As a mom of an aspiring filmmaker who dreams of attending film school, this challenge of limiting screen time has been particularly hard for me. My son is passionate about creating mini-movies in our backyard. He has picked up valuable skills in editing, sound mixing, and CGI—just by experimenting with iMovie. Thanks to his enthusiasm, he and his friends have produced some impressive school projects.
By allowing him to explore and indulge in his love for filmmaking, he’s not only developed his skills but also gained confidence and pride. Recently, he created a beautiful wedding video for some friends, which they now cherish. Had I restricted his screen time, I would have hindered his creativity and taken away a unique gift that his friends can enjoy for years to come.
There’s so much pressure on kids today to be well-rounded and excel at various activities, and it often leads to arbitrary rules due to our fears of their childhoods being different from ours. We should remember that our parents didn’t have access to the same technology we did, yet we turned out just fine, right? Generation X survived without all the conveniences we have now, and our kids will adapt just as well to their own tech-savvy world.
Consider a young girl who learned how to dance by watching YouTube videos. She found something that sparked her interest and had the resources to learn at her own pace. Imagine if her parents had limited her screen time—her curiosity and passion might have been stifled. Why not allow kids to engage with the digital resources available to them?
In another example, a charming British child advocates for integrating technology into classrooms. For kids with learning challenges, physical limitations, or unique talents, technology can be a way to showcase their strengths rather than forcing them into a conventional mold. Technology is an integral part of our lives, and limiting access can hinder learning opportunities. Empowering our kids with the tools to thrive in a tech-driven society is essential.
Let’s face it: we can’t keep insisting that kids read books when the world is evolving. Text messaging, FaceTime, and online education are not going anywhere. We can reminisce about the “good old days” all we want, but our children are navigating a different terrain.
For my family, I’ve decided to allow my kids to explore their interests in a way that aligns with their developmental stage. This doesn’t mean I’ll let them zone out on video games endlessly, but as long as they are constructively learning and engaging with age-appropriate content, there’s no harm in giving them the freedom to explore.
Our summer trial was surprisingly successful; my kids ended up spending less time on screens than I anticipated. The autonomy to manage their own time was empowering, and they didn’t take advantage of the freedom. We plan to repeat this experiment this summer, and I can’t wait to see what my budding filmmaker has in store for us. Kudos to all the parents who let their kids explore creativity in their own ways.
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In summary, giving my children the freedom to explore screen time has resulted in positive outcomes, allowing them to grow in their passions while maintaining balance and educational engagement.