Managing Your Child's Screen Time During Quarantine

Topics: Health & Safety 

Age Range: Preschool 

When our regular activities are restricted because of coronavirus quarantine, it can be tempting to turn to screen-based activities on our devices. If you’re concerned about managing your child’s screen time during quarantine, here are some tips.

Relax the rules slightly

Normally, you may not let your child have a lot of screen time, but the pandemic situation has made life very different from normal. Families everywhere are learning to manage with disruptions in schedules and regular daily life, not to mention the stress that can come with being indoors more often than not. Nusheen Ameenuddin, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media, suggests that more screen time won’t be harmful as long as it’s age-appropriate and meaningful interactions between you and your child take place throughout the day.

Limit and monitor screen time

Even if you do opt to relax the rules, there should still be structure. As with any other screen time use, your child should be using devices in a safe way. Also, unlimited screen time can lead to boredom, when children are more likely to take risks with the media they’re consuming. Ensure screen time is just one of the activities your child does in quarantine, and not the main one. Here is a list of time-management apps that may help.

As usual, it’s a good idea to have screen-free mealtimes, and have dedicated time away from devices where your child is doing another activity.

Encourage education or connection

While watching a movie or playing a game can be fun and distracting for your child, the quarantine can also be an ideal time for your child to learn, or connect with a loved one. KLA Schools has set up a Virtual Learning Resource Portal, an interactive and virtual program with components led by teachers as well as opportunities for children to experience our unique curriculum at home with their families. For socialization, you can set up virtual play dates with your child’s friends or regular video chats with family.

Use devices together

Participating in screen time together is not only a way to bond with your child, but it’s also an ideal opportunity to have discussions with your child about what they’re seeing. You can watch a movie together, play a game together, or listen to music together.