The internet offers access to so much knowledge and understanding, but it also offers access to many dangers that can keep parents awake at night. News stories about sexual predators who pose as teens and cyber-bullying abound. It is enough to make you want to ban the internet at home entirely, but then how would your child research for the next science fair project? A trip to the library is sometimes in order, but the internet, despite its dangers, is there too, and for most people, the benefits of internet access at home outweigh the dangers.
Parental control software can help you build a safe zone in your home by filtering the internet so that your children can safely use it. The best child monitoring software helps you control not just quality, but also quantity. Most applications can help you set time limits for each child, specific to the day of the week. When their time is up on the computer, the parental software automatically logs them out. The parental filter software will not allow them to log on in the first place if it is not during their scheduled time.
What is So Bad About Screen Time?
Setting limits can be important to your children's overall health because too much time in front of a computer or television has been linked to many negative outcomes, including:
- Obesity The more time children spend in front of screens of any kind, the more likely they are to be overweight. Screen time is sedentary time, and many advertisements online and on television are for unhealthy foods. Also, snacking during screen time is fairly common.
- Sleep Deprivation Too much screen time can make children resist going to bed and make it harder for them to fall asleep.
- Behavior Problems Some studies have shown an association between excessive screen time and emotional and social problems, including anxiety and depression, as well as attention deficits.
So How Much is Too Much?
The ultimate decision about how much time your children spend in front of screens is up to you, of course, and the answer will probably be different for each child and each situation. The general consensus including materials found on the Mayo Clinic, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other reputable websites seems to be a recommendation of around two hours of screen time per day for children and teens. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no time in front of any screen for any child under the age of two.
How Can I Get Them Away From the Screens?
We looked around for some good tips about prying your children's eyes away from their computers, phones and television screens for a few more hours a day. Here are our favorites:
- Remove televisions and computers from children's rooms.
- Have teens stash their phones outside their rooms at night so that they will go to bed instead of texting with friends all night.
- Turn off the television during dinner.
- Set an example and limit your own screen time. Make sure your child has your undivided attention sometimes with no texting, no television and no computer.
One theme running through all of the advice out there is to make a schedule for young children and teens. They thrive within routines. If they know they have only so much television and computer time each day, they will prioritize their use. The best parental filter software can help you set firm limits on computer screen time. Whether phone, television or computer, screens will likely be a permanent part of childhood going forward. With a few limits firmly in place, that can remain a positive fact of life.
At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.
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