Notes

The AAP's Latest View

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is changing its views regarding "screen time" - or at least moving its stance into the full-blown digital age.



The AAP's upcoming revision to its policy statement was announced in October. It acknowledges that the current screen-time guidelines are not up-to-date. They are most well-known for restricting screen time for children less than 2 years old, and for limiting screen time for teenagers and older children to two hours per day. Some of the current guidelines was written before widespread use of the internet. Ari Brown, a practicing pediatrician and chair of AAP Children, Adolescents and Media Leadership Work Group, via email. "Our previous recommendations were made because of enough developmental and health concerns about the possible dangers of television use to warn parents.



With schools eagerly implementing technology wherever money allows, not to mention classes in the middle school for coding software that allows kids to compose music on computers , and strong anecdotal evidence that playing Minecraft can help children with autism, a belief in strict minimization is ignoring the obvious. Today's kids are "digital natives." Technology is in their blood.



The AAP's new view that is summarized in "Beyond turning off the TV" How to counsel families about media use, views computers, TVs, and gaming systems as just tools. Depending on how they are utilized, the time spent with them could be beneficial or harmful to children.
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Starting in 2012 in 2012, the AAP made children media and children a top priority. This was reflected in the 2015 "Growing Up Digital” symposium. The conference brought together experts from child development, social science, and education. It also highlighted the growing body of evidence that supports the potential (and possibly significant!) benefits of screen time for children and adolescent growth.



At the symposium, social scientists presented data showing that when teens connect online, their connections with peers can be "significantly meaningful," and sometimes "more supportive than their actual friendships," reports Brown.



She says the message is that there are many positive online opportunities for acceptance and encouragement to help teens build their self-esteem and identity.



Other insights revealed ways to increase the digital media's educational potential. Neuroscientists have presented research that proved that toddlers can learn new words by using video chat. This suggests that it's the back and forth interaction that's the most important. Technology that facilitates that back-and-forth, then, is more likely to help students learn.



Here's the issue: Giving an iPad to a two-year old and then walking away is not going make it.



Brown says that all of the experts agreed on the importance of co-engagement. The involvement of parents determines the final nature of screen time. Positive outcomes for young children, especially, depend on screen time being "together time".



The potential for screen time to have a positive influence on children's lives depends on their parents, regardless of whether they're 3 or 13. The AAP recommends that parents get involved with their children's digital activities whenever they can, and to familiarize themselves with the media of their choice, even if they don’t opt to.



Parents should also lay ground rules for when, where and how long children are allowed to spend time on screens, establish "screen-free zones" (hint: the dining room table) and be sure to be sure to monitor all content. The potential advantages of screen time do not eliminate the possibility of (and potentially serious) dangers.



"Parenting has not changed," says Brown. "The same rules apply to all the environments your child is in - school, home, tech ... Set limits, be a great role model, know the names of your kids' friends are and where they're going."



The AAP's new policy statement on children and media will likely not be released until the end of this year, but Brown says it will "acknowledge the gaps in research are ... look to maximize the opportunities the digital age presents and reduce the risk. It will be practical and broad enough to be evergreen so the guidance will be able to keep up with the next great tech thing."



Now That's Cool Kids with Autism have their own private Minecraft server. "Autcraft" lets them reap all the benefits of Minecraft without the bullying that takes place in the main Minecraft space.


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