Summary

The article discusses the impact of excessive screen time on children, advocating for limited use of digital devices to prevent addiction and promote healthier activities.

Abstract

The article "The Battle for our Children’s Attention: Screen Time vs. Everything Else" reflects on the pervasive presence of screens in children's lives, comparing it to an addiction akin to drug dependency. It argues that the engaging nature of modern video games, social media, and online content has led to a decline in traditional outdoor and social play, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's isolation measures. The author suggests that parents set strict time limits on screen usage and encourage alternative activities to foster discipline, social skills, and a connection with the outdoors. The piece also emphasizes the role of a "healthy sense of shame" in moderating screen time, suggesting that societal and parental attitudes can help children understand the value of non-digital experiences.

Opinions

The author believes that screen time is addictive for children in a way similar to drug addiction, with video games and social media designed to keep their attention for extended periods.
Video game companies are accused of intentionally creating addictive games to increase profits through the sale of expansion packs, headsets, and other accessories.
Social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are criticized for using algorithms that encourage prolonged engagement, particularly detrimental to children's self-esteem.
The author advocates for a return to traditional childhood activities such as playing board games, spending time at playgrounds, and engaging in sports, which are seen as more beneficial for child development.
The article suggests that parents should enforce time limits on screen usage and consider restricting access to certain apps and games that are designed to be addictive.
The author recalls a personal anecdote about a friend who was only allowed to have a Gameboy, which the author now views as a smart approach to limiting screen addiction.
A "healthy sense of shame" is proposed as a tool for teaching children to self-regulate their screen time, with the author reflecting on how parental guidance led to an understanding of the greater enjoyment found in outdoor activities compared to video games.

The Battle for our Children’s Attention: Screen Time vs. Everything Else

Where have the kids gone?

Look outside. Where have the kids gone?

I Think of Kids at Play in a Nostalgic Way.

I wish this wasn’t the case. When did this happen? How did this happen? Who/what is to blame?

The answer: screen time

Video games, iPads, cell phones. Take a look around you. Just about every kid you see has one of these devices in their hands. You see it in restaurants, schools, AND CHURCHES, for God’s sake (literally.) This may seem harmless. This may seem like a good way to keep your children occupied.

…It’s also a way to keep them addicted

We are Creating Addicts

Kids are addicted to screens the way drug addicts are addicted to heroin. Seem harsh? Try taking those screens away. You’d think you sent them to prison. Games we used to play seem dreadfully boring to today’s kids:

Board games
Playgrounds
Playing in the snow
Riding bikes
Playing baseball in the backyard

…these may as well be punishments these days. They don’t compare to video games. They don’t compare to the endless number of videos on YouTube. They don’t compare to the dopamine hit you get from Instagram. We are creating addicts.

COVID-19’s Role in Accelerating this Addiction

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

Isolation

Quarantine

At-home school (NTI)

Lack of connection

No wonder kids are depressed. No wonder kids feel alone. No wonder anxiety in children is at an all-time high. What do we get when kids stay at home more often (usually unsupervised)? More screen time usage…the cycle continues.

Solutions

What can be done?

Video game companies know what they are doing. These video games are way better than they used to be. They want kids to be addicted to them. That equals money. Expansion packs, headsets, online gaming, virtual reality…it grows and grows. In the 90’s you’d play a game until it got boring (which happened pretty darn quick) and then you’d go outside. Today’s kids could play for 8 hours straight if you gave them the chance. I’d lose my mind if I was forced to play Sonic the Hedgehog for 8 straight hours back in ‘92.

Solution: Set a time limit- Most good parents do this already. Let your kids play video games for an hour (or two max.) DO NOT let them go over. Some games have time limits on them. Set a limit and make them stick to it. Letting your kid play for 8 straight hours is terrible parenting.

YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other companies know exactly what they are doing. Their algorithms are designed to keep your attention longer. Your attention is their currency, and they feast on children. Done with your YouTube video? Don’t worry, next one’s coming right up. Don’t even get me started on the effect Instagram and Facebook has on children’s self-esteem (especially for girls)

Solution: Don’t let kids have these apps- or severely limit their time on them. They are too young for them. Heck, how many full-grown adults do you know that are addicted to them as well? I sure know a lot.

Children must have (real) social connection and children must play outside.

My best friend growing up was not allowed to have a SEGA or Super Nintendo. These were the available video game consoles of the day. He came over and played our SEGA from time to time, but his parents didn’t allow him to have one. They did allow him to have a Gameboy. He was always allowed to have the newest version. Original Gameboy, Gameboy Color, etc. He could have any Gameboy he wanted…but only Gameboy. I was confused by this as a child. Now, I think it’s brilliant. Gameboy was revolutionary and cool, but it undoubtedly got boring. It didn’t take long for the lame factor to set in. It was not addictive. After playing Gameboy for a short period of time, he always wanted to go outside and play, and we did. Playing sports outside was always better, so was hanging out at the pool.

A Healthy Sense of Shame

If you’ve read any of my articles, you’ve probably heard me use this term. “A healthy sense of shame” is okay. There were times when I was a kid when I would spend too much time playing video games. My dad would always come downstairs and say something along the lines of:

“You’re wasting your life playing video games. Turn that off! It’s a nice day outside and you’re in here wasting your life away.”

Guess what? He was right. I developed a (healthy) sense of shame after a while. The next time I played video games too long, I would look outside and feel sadness. I’d ask myself “It’s beautiful outside. Why am I inside my dark basement playing video games?” I adopted self-control and discipline. I was able understand that I would always feel better after playing outside vs. a long video game session.

Shouldn’t we teach this to our children? Shouldn’t we give them the tools to make good decisions? There is no redeeming value in video games (or any screen time for that matter.) I’ve always heard this, and I’ve always believed it.

If you would like to check out any of my other articles that are related to this topic please click here and here.