Screen Time

In a world where the average family home hosts over 5 connected devices per person, technology has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. Children grow up surrounded by screens that provide instant entertainment, information, and social connection. While digital tools offer incredible benefits for learning and connection, the constant presence of technology can inadvertently crowd out the analog moments that are crucial for developing empathy, creativity, and genuine human connection. ...

In an age of algorithmic content, it is more important than ever to teach our children to be critical consumers of information. This means going beyond simply teaching them to identify “fake news” and helping them to understand the underlying systems that shape the information they see. We can start by having open and honest conversations with our children about how algorithms work and how they can be used to manipulate our emotions and behavior. We can also teach them to ask critical questions about the content they encounter, such as: Who created this content? What is their purpose? What information might be missing? By equipping our children with these critical thinking skills, we can empower them to navigate the digital world with confidence and to make their own informed decisions about what to believe and how to act. ...

Every parent knows the scenario: you just need a moment. A moment to make dinner, to answer an email, to simply breathe. In that moment, the screen becomes a tempting babysitter. But as the minutes stretch on, a familiar guilt creeps in. Is this endless stream of videos actually good for them? Is there a difference between one cartoon and another? The short answer is a resounding yes. The quality of screen time is not just a minor detail; it’s the most critical factor in determining whether a child’s digital experience is harmful or beneficial. This article explores the qualitative differences in video content and offers a framework for making smarter choices for your children. ...

We’ve all seen it: the eerie, blue-lit glow on a child’s face, their world shrunk to the size of a screen. For modern parents, this image is often accompanied by a wave of guilt and a nagging question: “Is this okay?” The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. Screen time is a double-edged sword. Wielded without thought, it can be a source of significant harm. But with mindful guidance, it can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and connection. ...