COVID-19 Blog Series: Screen Time
Recently, I read a New York Times article entitled “How to Create Screen-Life Balance When Life Has Shifted to Screens.” It points out how our relationship with devices and screens have changed since the start of this pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, I have frequently been asked how much time should parents allow their children to watch something on a device. Some parents have even told me that the screen time seems like they’re taking the “easy way out” in being a parent. Now, with a global pandemic and everyone at home, what is healthy?
This article shifts our thinking of screen time from being “all bad” to a more balanced perspective. I particularly liked the analogy of food. Some screen time can be like junk food, but some of it is not. Because we do so much work or we are benefitting from it. So, how can you tell if your screen time is mostly junk food or good for you? Here are some questions to help you think about your screen time.
What is it used for? If it’s being used for work or connecting with others, then it can be quite good. Especially during this pandemic, it’s hard to connect with others, but having game nights and calling friends and family through video conferencing tools can be wonderful. If it’s just there to eat up your time, then perhaps it’s not good.
How does it make me feel? Spending time in front of the computer, tablet, or phone has an effect on your emotions. If you feel down, tired, angry, or frustrated when you’re using devices, then you may want to consider reducing your screen time. It’s important to stay up to date on the news and what’s changing, but if you find yourself feeling worse and worse because of the hours you spend reading the news updates, then consider reducing it down to reading just the essentials and move onto something else.
What are you doing with your free time? Take a moment and think how much of your free time is spent with a screen and without a screen. If you spend almost all of it with a screen, try out some other activities away from the screen. This could be picking up a new hobby such as gardening, cooking, reading a new book, playing board games with those you’re with. I personally recently started practicing my calligraphy writing and it’s been great to slow down and enjoy writing. Especially for your free time, think about how your screen time is making you feel (see Question 2). If it’s making you feel good, then it’s likely helpful. If it’s not, then it’s probably time to try something else.
It is important to say that not all screen time is good or bad. It depends on what it is being used for, and a good way to check that is how does it make you feel. Does it make you feel like you accomplished something, happy, or relieved? Or, does it make you feel tired, angry, or anxious?
Link to New York Times article: https://nyti.ms/34YZY2C
