Balanced technology use, screen time encouraged for children

ST. GEORGE – The use of technology like TVs, computers, tablets and smart phones is a regular occurrence for many individuals, including children.

Technology can be beneficial in learning, but excessive exposure to screens may be linked to attention disorders in young children.

While some public schools like Crimson View Elementary in St. George are using technology to develop an entire learning curriculum, the use of screens should be done in moderation and not at all for children under the age of 2, according to a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Marty Nygaard, a pediatrician at Red Rock Pediatrics in St. George, said he recommends the parents of his patients to limit screen time for young children with no more than an hour to two per day of any kind of screen time. For children under the age of 2, he recommends they follow the AAP's strict recommendation of zero screen exposure.

"The studies are pretty impressive that show in every exposure a child has to screens, there is a risk of them developing ADD," he said. "There is something to be said for less screen time for kids."

Because many television shows and movies portray graphic violence and other adult material, it is important for parents to be conscious of the type of screen time their children have access to.

"With the violence on TV, studies show it is pretty evident that type of content has a strong impact on children," he said. "It is important to show them positive content with strong social messages."

A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that children ages 8 to 18 watch about 7.5 hours of screen time per day.

"It is clear screen time is changing the way our brains work," Nygaard said. "Studies are showing our brains are less able to process the material they are viewing over time and that could be contributing to the ADD."

However, because the science behind studying the brain development of screen time is still fairly recent, it is difficult to make absolute decisions regarding the effects of screen time on developing brains, Nygaard said.

"Our behaviors in technology are far ahead of the research," he said. "I wish we had more data to go off of, but only time will tell."

Some parents like Nicole Demke, of St. George, take a balanced approach to screen time.

Demke has two children, ages 2 and 4, with another on the way, and has always chosen to monitor what her children watch and how much.

"I feel like children are losing imagination," she said. "I want them to know how to be bored and use their imagination to be creative. TV is a mindless activity and most TV shows are not meant to make them think."

With her first child, Demke said she limited screen time, not necessarily to follow the AAP recommendation but because it fit into her parenting style.

However, with an older child, when her second came along, it was more difficult to control the amount of screen time.

"It is nearly impossible to keep them from watching something the older children are watching," she said. "And sometimes parents just need a break. We usually only watch TV during naptimes. My daughter watches a show while my son naps. It is her quiet time. We are pretty busy with activities outside of the home most days, so TV isn't necessary."

Deanna Garrett, of St. George, is a single mom and said controlling screen time for her 4-year-old is difficult, but she adhered more to the AAP standard when he was young.

"My son's father made the decision based on the AAP's statement that excessive media use can lead to attention problems," she said. "I fully supported that decision."

Garrett, a single mother, said she sometimes relies on TV time to help accomplish tasks she has to do on her own.

"As a single mother, I often find myself needing to take care of multiple important life tasks while parenting alone," she said. "Ideally (screen time) wouldn't be used as much as it is, but then ideally I wouldn't be parenting entirely on my own either, which is the reality of our life, and as such, I use all of the tools I can to make life run more smoothly."

At Crimson View Elementary, the students learn primarily with the use of screens. Each student has access to an iPad they use to research, practice learning, problem solve and do homework, said 5th grade teacher Steve Eves.

"Technology use provides us with an avenue to help personalize learning for each student," he said. "Technology allows us to enhance student learning."

Using certain apps like Skype, games and more, the students can learn more than what they would from a traditional text book and lecturing teacher, Eves said.

"The technology is allowing the students the opportunity to reach out – reach outside of St. George, Utah, and find that it's a bigger world out there," he said.

The students often take virtual field trips via Skype to meet with professionals and experts in a variety of fields, he said.

However, just because iPads and technology are often utilized at the Washington County School District's first STEM-focused school, that doesn't mean the students are staring at a screen all day, Eves said.

"We try and find that balance," he said. "The technology helps them enhance learning, and it extends what we are able to do as teachers. Technology transformed the way I taught my students. I wasn't just stuck at the board anymore."

Eves said the students who are considered high-ability learners can move forward at their own pace while Eves or other teachers can focus more one-on-one attention to the students who may need extra help. Students who need more assistance can watch demonstrations on the iPad or computer to get help with something rather than be embarrassed to ask for help.

"Every teacher here is utilizing the technology as a tool to help the kids be more productive," he said. "The teachers' role has changed. We have become more facilitators of learning. Using technology allows the kids to figure out fun and new ways to learn."

Nygaard said while there are positive uses for technology, children and parents need to make sure screen time remains balanced.

Nygaard said it takes students an average of 18 minutes to complete their homework utilizing a screen.

"It is important parents monitor what is being done," he said. "When screens are used, it's important to increase the pro-social messages and improve the quality of the content of what they are watching."

Follow Samantha Sadlier on Twitter, @SamSadlier and on Facebook at facebook.com/spectrumsamanthasadlier.