On a recent Saturday, writer Alex Thompson shared an article highlighting the surge in children’s screen time during the pandemic, alarming many parents and experts alike. The piece outlines various alarming trends and statistics, with claims that kids are now glued to screens more than ever. One expert, who previously reassured parents about screen use, is now sounding the alarm, noting that children are playing video games like Roblox twice as much as they did last May. According to Thompson, parental controls have been largely abandoned, and a professor ominously predicts an “epic withdrawal” period ahead. “Countless kids under 10” are now on platforms like TikTok, Fortnite, and Snapchat, leaving parents feeling utterly helpless.
Here’s the Reality
Look, Alex. My partner and I have pre-existing health issues, and our three boys, ages 7, 9, and 11, have been socially distanced since mid-March 2020. While we were fortunate enough to purchase a pool and trampoline, it’s January now. There are no outdoor activities available; yesterday’s wind gusts were a staggering 30 miles per hour. My younger two might need therapy after becoming too anxious to walk to the mailbox.
We’re hands-on parents. We play board games, engage in arts and crafts, and enjoy backyard games. Plus, the boys have each other to play with, allowing them to create their own imaginary worlds, such as their quirky LEGO realm inhabited by “blubbies” on “Blubbie Island.” My middle child films short movies, and my youngest is obsessed with a game called Castle Panic. Meanwhile, my oldest enjoys listening to podcasts.
The Need for Screens
But let’s be honest: the fun only lasts so long. Eventually, we find ourselves reaching for the tablets. Both my partner and I work from home, and we crave alone time since we’re cooped up together with our kids nearly 24/7. Sometimes we just want to have a conversation without interruptions about who is cheating in a game or who moved Blubbie Island.
So, we allow the boys to use their Kindle Fires, as we’ve always done. They might play games like Bad Piggies, Rise of Berk, or Jurassic World: The Game, or watch shows such as “Gravity Falls” and “Amphibia.” This gives us some peace and quiet, which we desperately need during this pandemic. Just the other evening, I told my partner, “Let’s put on a movie for them so we can unwind.”
“Absolutely,” he replied, and we settled on “Isle of Dogs.” I refuse to feel guilty about this.
Not All Screen Time is Created Equal
Yes, my kids are spending more time on screens than they did pre-pandemic, but not all screen time is the same. My oldest son chats with friends online, which is crucial for his social development during these isolating times. If I asked him to pick up the phone to call someone, it would probably raise eyebrows too. Therefore, he might as well engage with friends through text and video chats. They even play Dungeons and Dragons via a messaging app.
What about my other children? Sure, some of their screen time involves watching “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” but they also enjoy educational content like “Planet Earth: 2.” They engage with interactive games that teach anatomy and even do some coding through MIT’s Scratch program. One of their games aids in memorizing the periodic table. While all of this counts as screen time, I believe it’s far from detrimental.
Enough with the Shame
We are parents navigating an unprecedented global pandemic. The challenges we face are unlike anything we ever imagined. While I worry about teaching my kids resilience and kindness, I’m not overly concerned about “detoxing” them from screens when this is all over. If my 11-year-old is currently engaged in a “Star Wars” shooting game, go ahead and judge me. I have work to do. Meanwhile, my other two boys are engrossed in games that involve elements and the periodic table. So yes, they’re getting a lot of screen time, but frankly, I don’t care. We’re doing our best to survive this challenging time as a family, and screen time is the least of my worries.
Stop shaming parents. We need our devices, and so do our kids. Cutting them off from their friends, like some parents mentioned in Thompson’s article, seems unnecessarily harsh and could do more harm than good.
You do what works for you, but I’ll continue to hand my kids their screens, just like the majority of parents across America, and they will be just fine.
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Summary:
In this article, the author discusses the increase in children’s screen time during the pandemic and defends the necessity of allowing kids to use devices. While acknowledging that screen time has surged, the author emphasizes the educational and social benefits of digital interactions. The piece conveys a strong message against the stigma surrounding screen use, especially during such unprecedented times, advocating for understanding and flexibility among parents.