Unknown Speaker 0:00
I think they’re just on it way too much.
Unknown Speaker 0:01
That’s not healthy for them, there is no connection.
Unknown Speaker 0:05
They are just obsessed with it.
Unknown Speaker 0:07
It worries me greatly.
Unknown Speaker 0:08
It has a huge impact on our lives.
Unknown Speaker 0:10
For adults it’s so addictive, kids don’t stand a chance
[SUPER: A documentary on the impact of screen time on Queensland kids]
[SUPER: SQUARE EYES]
Professor Stewart Trost 0:22
Screen time has evolved dramatically. It used to be a television in the living room. But now, screens are ubiquitous, they’re everywhere.
Josie Sorban 0:29
They are the essential way that we connect with the world, now.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 0:33
When children are so engaged on their devices, they tend to forget about everything else that’s going on around them.
Josie Sorban 0:38
It is not in and of itself a bad thing. It’s how we use it.
Professor Stewart Trost 0:43
The key issue here is passive screen time.
Josie Sorban 0:46
There is a lack of any sort of physical activity.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 0:49
We’re seeing more and more mindless eating. And that’s a real issue.
Josie Sorban 0:51
The food that you choose is often high kilojoule, pre-packaged, processed foods – that can be preferably with one hand.
Professor Stewart Trost 0:59
A screen in the bedroom is one of the most powerful predictors of being overweight later in life.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 1:03
And so they stay up very late. Without even thinking about it they’re eating and drinking so much more than what they would have otherwise.
Professor Stewart Trost 1:10
You don’t get a good night’s sleep, they’re more tired throughout the day, and less likely to get the exercise they need.
Professor Stewart Trost 1:16
What scares me is the amount of time that parents look at their phones and don’t engage with their kids
Josie Sorban 1:22
They see you with screens, they naturally think screens are the way to go.
Professor Stewart Trost 1:25
We don’t blame parents, we don’t judge them. We know that it’s difficult and that we all use screen times at one point or another. The challenge is to not make it a lifestyle choice.
Josie Sorban 1:35
I don’t think we can’t have children using screens but I think it has to be controlled.
[SUPER: Phase one: GETTING ACTIVE WITH SCREENS]
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 1:44
So, we try to do it in a phased approach.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 1:47
So, phase one is often getting active on the screen itself, using a screen and playing a game actively.
Professor Stewart Trost 1:53
Children have a natural inclination for energetic play. So, when parents engage with their children, or co-participate in physical activity, it’s really a positive thing.
[SUPER: PHASE 2: NEGOTIATE HEALTHY LIMITS]
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 2:02
The second phase is then trying to get rid of the screen and maybe going outside and doing something completely different.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 2:10
We want to be able to empower the parents to say no we can negotiate this as well so that the kids understand – (A) reasons why they’re doing it and (B) what those limits are.
Professor Stewart Trost 2:20
The current guidelines for children 5 to 17 is to not exceed more than 2 hours of screen time a day. For 2 to 5-year old’s we recommend less than 1 hour, and for children under 2 years of age, zero screen time.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 2:34
We need to provide guidance for our kids to make the right decisions.
Professor Stewart Trost 2:38
We can teach children to make their own choices and we can really see a difference.
Asc. Professor Robyn Littlewood 2:42
It’s about supporting them to be the best they can be, so that they can have the best chance at a healthy life.
[SUPER: 3 SCREEN TIME TIPS FOR PARENTS]
[SUPER: BE SEEN WITHOUT A SCREEN]
[SUPER: UNDER TWO, NO SCREENS FOR YOU]
[SUPER: START A NO-SCREEN TIME ROUTINE]
Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.
Let’s build a brighter future for our kids. Watch as experts discuss the impact of screen time, then get started with useful ways to help development, engagement and learning take flight.
“It’s about supporting them to be the best they can be, so they can have the best chance at a healthy life.”
Associate Professor Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
Changes to your routine can make a difference.
Try these tips today to help your family be the best they can be:
- Parents, be seen without a screen.
- Under two, no screens for you!
- Start a no screen-time routine.
Taking that first step
Creating an engaged, positive environment by playing screen-based games with your child is the first step in building their confidence to create change. Here are some great activities that you can do with your child to help get them started.
- Boredom Busters – Bust their boredom with these great ideas
- Family Apptivities – Get your whole family moving with these interactive apps
Setting healthy limits
The pull of screens is everywhere we turn. Teaching kids to choose quality screen time, over quantity, helps to create space for families to engage in happy, healthy time together. Below are some guidelines on safe limits for using screens.
- Kids aged 5-17 should have no more than two hours of screen time a day.
- Kids aged 2-5 should have no more than one hour of unrestrained (as in not sitting still) screen time a day – less is better. Sedentary screen time is not recommended.
- Children under 2 should have no screen time.
Based on information from the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (birth to 5 years) and Children and Young People (5-17 years).