From before my son was even born, I read countless articles about how screen time can negatively impact your child. Websites list countless reasons that you should avoid too much screen time for your child: lack of exercise, irregular sleep schedules, behavioral problems, loss of social skills, and less time for playing. They imply that your child is less likely to be creatively or mentally stimulated from screen time. But is it true? Is too much screen time bad for your child? Or is there an outdated belief that screen time is full of mind numbing games? In my experience, positive screen time not only has plenty of educational opportunities, but it also has endless possibilities for creative outlets!
Did Screen Time Affect My Mental and Creative Growth?
When I was a kid, computer games were a fairly new concept. When I sat down at the computer, I’d open up Pinball and play it for ages. I’d mindlessly hit squares on Mindsweeper, and once in a while, I’d open Paint and scribble away. Looking back at those games, I could definitely see how screen time during the early 90s could be considered frivolous and not aiding in my mental development.
Positive Screen Time During My Childhood
However, as I got older and more options became available, not only did I explore some of the educational computer games that were starting to come out, I started to explore my love for design. I’d create Powerpoint presentations and I imagined they were my own animated TV show. They were scribbles practically, but it was the creative energies behind it that counted. When I was 9, I begun using American Girl Doll Premiere and creating “plays”. I created an entire Harriet Tubman themed story about the American Girl doll Adi, using my small knowledge of history and applying it to my gameplay.
By late elementary school, I had started using Pinnacle Studio to edit my own movies. My sister and I would write scripts for our stuffed animals and produce our very own Stuffed Animal Academy Awards show…and yes, we did make our parents vote on the winners. Eventually, I began editing family footage and by middle school, improv movies I created with my sister and friends.
Applying Screen Time to School Projects
School was never my favorite thing and plenty of assignments were boring to me, especially in Language Arts. However, when I could apply my love of computer programs or television shows to my projects, I learned so much and felt for a few rare moments like I actually enjoyed something about school. I also felt confident and intelligent – two feelings that school sadly rarely gave me.
While I wasn’t an A student, I’d always excel at a project that I could apply my passions towards. In 6th grade, while other students wrote paper’s about a location to visit, I created an entire brochure about Telluride, Colorado. Till this day, I still remember what activities I could do there because of the research I put in for my brochure.
In 8th grade, the one time I had an opportunity to do something other than write a book report (I always sucked at those), I filmed a movie trailer about the book instead. Never in my life did I pay more attention to the events of a book than when researching for that movie trailer…and it was possibly the only time I received an A on a book report.
In the end, I pursued careers in graphic design and video editing. Surprise, surprise! From a young age, all of those interests were playing out, and it was because of my love for activities on screens.
How is Screen Time Affecting My Child?
Before I continue, I want to make it abundantly clear that in no way am I saying lots of screen time is the right fit for your child. Only you know your child. What I am saying though is, don’t make your decisions just because someone out there says it’s not a good idea.
My son is 6 years old. Even with my history, I still have questioned how much screen time I should allow him. However, just like me, it’s already clear where his interests seem to lie.
The secret as a parent is to observe what your kid is excited about and help nurture that interest. At every age, with every interest, whether it pertains to crafting, athletics, or, yes, even screen time. (Read Helping Your Child Find Their Passion)
From a young age, my son never showed interest in coloring. Honestly, I began to wonder if toddlers ever colored or if that was a myth created by some hopeful parents! My 1.5 year old though nicked that theory in the butt…she loves picking up crayons and scribbling away! At 6, our son colors in school and occasionally at home, but if coloring or creating something artsy takes more than 5 minutes, he hands it off to me, asks me to finish it, and scampers off.
I could take this to mean he’s not artsy or creative. However, that’s far from the case.
Positive Screen Time is Developing My Son’s Love for Gaming and Design
When he scampers off, he jumps onto his computer, opens Planet Coaster, and giddily designs theme parks. What impresses me most though is that he’s not just plopping down pre-made rides and walkways like he used to. He’s watching tutorials online and delving into basic 3D modeling within the game. He’s building basic 3D sculptures and using the XYZ 3D axis with ease. I took a 3D modeling class in my 20’s and some adults in the class had trouble learning those same mechanisms in our 3D design program.
When he’s done creating 3D models, he’s zooming in and painstakingly detailing the theme park with fences and landscape, patiently plopping them down one by one. He’s even begun building his own custom roller coasters, and learning basic physics in the process.
There is not a moment I regret him playing this game.
Positive Screen Time is Developing My Son’s Love for Video Games and Coding
Over the past year, as I observed his video game interest blossom, I downloaded and subscribed to the app CodeSpark. I thought, if he loves gaming so much, maybe he’d be interested in learning to design them too! CodeSpark is a kid friendly app that teaches kids how to design and code their very own games…think basic 90s video games where you used the arrow keys to command your characters to move!
During a vacation this summer, I peeked over his shoulder to discover he had built a 2D dragon, coded the boxes to disappear when the character ran into them, and coded the bad guy to shoot lasers from his eyes while jumping.
My son may prefer screen time to sitting and coloring or crafting but at 6 years old, he’s already showing interest in 3D video game animation and design, as well as coding, and personally, I think that’s amazing. I will admit though, it doesn’t fit his current career aspirations. But how many activities can you really find to help a child become a Jedi?
Are There Truly Negative Affects to Screen Time?
Behavioral Issues from Too Much Screen Time
From my own personal experience, the only truly negative impact I’ve seen is when my son jumps on the computer first thing in the morning. He’ll start the day crankier and more confrontational when asked to do things. For this reason, I prefer to encourage him to eat breakfast in the dining room and have some social interaction with our family in the morning. When he starts the day away from the computer screen, he tends to be a better listener. I don’t know whether it’s because he gets a good breakfast in first, isn’t zoned into a screen first thing, or just the simple boundary being set gives him a sense of structure that he personally needs.
Other Issues from Too Much Screen Time
In terms of other negative impacts listed from various people, I currently don’t see those playing out with my own child. He still is a great sleeper, he’s a social butterfly and plays with his friends daily at the park after school, he plays with his toys plenty, and he gets plenty of exercise running around, walking to school, and taking his karate class! He may have plenty of screen time, but somehow he also manages to fit in everything else too!
How Much Screen Time is Best for Your Child?
As I said earlier though, only you know what’s best for your child. If your child seems reliant on the screens or addicted, or throws a tantrum at the mere thought of not using it for even 15 minutes, it may be a good idea to set a few boundaries. I’m not saying cut down to a certain amount a day, but try to change the schedule up a bit – maybe first thing in the day isn’t good for your child, or maybe before your child takes out the iPad or jumps on the computer you tell them they can play for “x-amount of time” and then they have to play with their toys or play outside.
If your child is listening well though and there’s nothing that is concerning you, stop stressing about their amount of screen time. Chances are they are learning some awesome new skills and maybe even developing a passion that will turn into a profession as an adult!
One More Positive Screen Time Tip You May Not Know…
Plus, on a separate note, you may be surprised that while many people tell you to avoid screen time for your child, most kids are expected to be able to use a computer, iPad, or similar device by the time they begin kindergarten. A good majority of my son’s assignments or instructions for his homework are already on the iPad. While some kids at his school have struggled to grasp using these programs and devices, my son was ready to go from day one!
Best Educational Apps, Games, and Programs for Your Child to Use During Positive Screen Time
If you are trying to figure out ways to channel your child’s interests, here’s a list of games and programs I recommend for screen time.
Educational Apps and Websites for Basic Preschool and Early Elementary School Skills
- ABC Mouse
- Teaches basic skills about colors, letter sounds, math, and more.
- PBS Kids Games
- An array of games based on PBS shows, some are more educational than others. Games include coloring, storytelling, reading, and more.
- Read, Write, and Type
- This old school game is only available online. I used it as a kid and have fond memories and my son enjoyed using it too. The game teaches basic reading and writing skills while teaching finger placement for how to use a computer keyboard.
- Reading Eggs
- Used in my son’s kindergarten class, Reading Eggs is an educational game that teaches basic reading skills. My son absolutely loves it and the schools love it too!
Design and Coding Apps
- CodeSpark Academy: Turn your child’s passion for playing video games into a passion for creating video games, while learning basic coding skills.
- ignites interest in STEM
- teaches sequencing skills and pattern recognition
- teaches problem solving and creative thinking
- Osmo Coding Starter Kit: Hands on learning games that interact with the iPad or Fire Tablets.
- teaches coding
- different versions teach math, drawing, spelling, fundamentals of physics, spatial relational skills, and world geography
- teaches problem solving and perseverance
Design Based Video Games
- Planet Coaster: Learn skills that foster an interest in 3D design. Available on Mac/PC/Playstation/Xbox
- learn basic dynamics of physics by designing rollercoasters
- learn basic 3D creation with the XYZ axis and rotation
- design a theme park
- money management and problem solving skills (as your child gets old enough to explore this aspect)
- Cities Skylines: Learn skills that foster an interest in urban planning. Available on Mac/PC/Nintendo Switch/PS4
- learn basic city planning and infrastructure
- problem solving skills
- The Sims 4: Learn skills that foster an interest in architectural design and creative role playing. Available on Mac/PC/Playstation/Xbox
- design homes and businesses
- play as characters and make up stories along the way
Design Based Programs
If you already have design programs/apps or editing programs/apps on your computer or phone, don’t shy away from letting your kid explore them! You’ll be amazed with how much they may learn quickly from playing with photoshop or creating a movie on your phone and editing it with a video editing app! My son had a blast using an app on my phone to make his own “commercial”, dressed as a superhero. With my help, he added special effect noises, filters, and more.
I hope you’ve learned some helpful tips on how to expand your child’s screen time experience. I also hope that I’ve given you some peace of mind that you’re not ruining your child’s life by letting them play on the computer! So take a breath, go get some chores done, or take a moment to do something for yourself! There is no need to feel guilty. Your child will be just fine.
Sound off in the comments with any favorite programs or apps that your child likes to use!