Is Excessive Screen Time Affecting Your Mental Health?

Categories: Technology

Screen time and technology use. Have parents ever agonised over anything more?

From the time they’re toddlers, our children are charmed by Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and their cohort. A few episodes of something simple can be a welcome respite for parents, and a source of engaging fun, interest and even education for little ones.

But, as they grow older, the territory becomes more fraught. We hear about eight-year-olds watching pornography, eleven-year-olds taking their Fortnite battles to real-life playgrounds, and kids in high school being harrased by their peers and spending upwards of 20 hours a week curating their social media profiles.

Big patches of their lives are carried out online, though screens, in virtual reality or the muddy terrain between real life and their internet existence. It can be hard for parents to know what they’re up to, and harder still to address it.

So what can we do?

How can we, as parents, make sure we’re keeping them safe when they’re online?

How can we enforce reasonable limits around screen time and technology use, without alienating them?

How can we maintain our own digital diligence over their activities without prying?

It’s a minefield. But of course, there are some experts on the ParentTV team who are pretty good at navigating dangerous territory…

WATCH VIDEO: How can I keep my child safe online? Dr Kristy Goodwin gives us her top tips and best strategies.

WATCH VIDEO: How do I know if my child is being cyberbullied and what should I do if they are? eSafety and Bullying Educator, Rachel Downie, talks us through the world of cyberbullying and how to address it in your home.

WATCH VIDEO: The impacts of social media on our kids’ emotional health Dr Vanessa LaPointe gives us the lowdown on the effects of social media on our children’s moods and minds.