II. Prevention
- Encourage alternative behaviors
- Active and social activities
- Disallow electronic media usage during family meals
- Discourage electronic media usage immediately before bed (e.g. last hour before sleep)
- Remove electronic devices from the bedroom
- Screen Time (television, video games, computer) Guidelines
- Limit Screen Time to no more than 1-2 hours of high quality programming daily
- Screen Time averages 7.5 hours daily in the U.S.
- Over 4 hours of daily Screen Time is associated with Obesity
- Age related guidelines
- Age <18 months old
- Avoid electronic media
- Age 18 to 24 months
- Limit to high quality shows
- Young children
- One hour per day of high quality shows
- Watch the show with them to know what they are viewing
- Screen exposure >1 hour/day at age 1 year, has dose dependent development effect at age 2 and 4 months
- Age <18 months old
- Other precautions
- Avoid violent or distracting content
- Turn off electronic devices including television when not being watched
- Avoid electronic media as a single primary calming measure
- Monitor a child's use of electronic media
III. Resources
- Family Media Plan