COLUMBUS, Ohio — New research shows that privacy and safety are parents’ biggest concerns when it comes to their kids’ screen time.
That’s the finding of a survey commissioned by Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
It comes as more and more kids are using screens.
Sophina Kaple is 3.5 years old, but unlike many kids her age, she doesn’t have a tablet.
“What I noticed is she wasn’t hearing me when I would speak to her. She seemed so locked in on it, and then she got upset when I took it away, so I ended up taking it away permanently,” said Alexis.
Instead, Alexis keeps her daughter entertained with hobbies that don’t involve devices.
“Just replace it when I’m out at her older siblings' sporting events or a restaurant or something with little toys or crayons or something else active that she can entertain herself with,” Alexis said.
Alexis’ biggest concern with screens is not knowing what videos might pop up next.
“That’s a little scary especially at her age being that she’s just 3, she’s taking in everything. She’s a sponge, so it’s on me to filter that an only show her what I feel is age appropriate,” Alexis said.
But it’s not the only concern parents have about screen time.
The survey shows 47% of parents fear for their kids' privacy and safety.
More than 35% are also concerned that their children get exposed to misinformation and that they aren’t socializing in person.
“Parents have to have daily conversations with their kids,” said Dr. Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Hoet said it’s crucial to set boundaries for screen time and to stay looped in.
“Monitor and sit down with your child, have them show you what they’re watching on social media, have them show you what they like and don’t like so you’re learning from them and can keep tabs on what’s going on,” Hoet said.
Alexis is among the 80% of parents who said they actively do something to monitor their kids' screen time.
She said she allows her daughter to watch a little bit of TV to wind down, but when she does she makes sure to use parental control settings and tries to find educational shows for her to watch.
And it’s an approach Hoet recommends.
“Kids' brains they’re developing still, and so we cannot expect them to monitor themselves, to set their own boundaries, to put the phone down, to know right and wrong without an adult present,” Hoet said.
For parents that want help on understanding how to set healthy screen time boundaries and how screens can impact the well-being of kids, The Kids Mental Health Foundation at Nationwide Children’s offers free resources.
