Notes

Technology that Facilitates that Back-and-forth

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is changing its mind regarding "screen time" or at at the very least, shifting its position to the present.



The impending revision of the AAP's policy statement announced in October, is prompted by the recognition that its current screen-time guidelines which are best known for banning any screen time for children younger than two and limiting older children and teens to two hours a day, are no longer relevant. Some of the current guidelines predates widespread Internet use. Ari Brown, a practicing pediatrician and chair of AAP Children, Adolescents and Media Leadership Work Group, via email. "Our previous recommendations were made because there were enough developmental and health concerns about the possible dangers of television use to warn parents.



Schools are eagerly implementing technology wherever funding permits, not to mention grade-school enrichment classes on coding software that allows kids to compose music using computers and strong anecdotal evidence that playing Minecraft can benefit kids with autism, espousing 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" How to counsel families on the use of media sees TVs, computers and gaming systems as just tools. Spending time with them can be beneficial for children or bad for kids, depending on how they're utilized.



The AAP addressed children and media a top priority beginning in 2012, a program that culminated in the May 2015 "Growing up digital" symposium. The conference brought together experts from neuroscience, child development and education, as well as social science. It also highlighted the growing body evidence that supports the potential (and potentially significant!) benefits of screen time for children and adolescent growth.



At the symposium social scientists presented data showing that when teens interact online, those 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 plenty of positive online opportunities for acceptance and support to help teens build their self-esteem and identity.
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Other insights provided insight into possible ways to enhance digital media's potential to teach. Neuroscientists presented research that showed that toddlers can learn new words using video chat. This suggests that it's the back and forth interaction that's the most important. Technology that allows this back-and-forth is more likely to facilitate learning.



This is the issue: Giving an iPad to a 2-year old and then walking away is not going make it.



"All of our experts indicated the importance of co-engagement" Brown says. Parental involvement determines the ultimate nature of screen time. Particularly for children in the early years, positive outcomes rely on "screen time" as well as "together time."



The potential of screen time for good, in fact depends on the parents, no matter if the child is three or 13. The AAP recommends that parents become involved with their children's digital activities whenever possible and to familiarize themselves with the media of their choice even if they don't decide to.



Parents should also set the guidelines for when, where and for how long children can be on screens, establish "screen-free zones" (hint: the dining room table) and, of course, ensure that all content is monitored. The potential benefits of screen time aren't enough to negate the potential (and potentially significant) dangers.



"Parenting isn't changing," says Brown. "The same rules apply to every environment your child's life is in - school, home or in the technology ... Set limits, be a great role model, know who your children's friends are and where they are going."



The AAP's new policy statement on children and media is likely to not be available until the end of this year, however Brown says it will "acknowledge the research gaps are ... look to maximize the opportunities the digital age brings, and minimize the risk. It will be practical and broad enough to be more flexible, so the guidelines will be able to keep up with the latest technological thing."



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