Everything You Should Know about AAP Recommended Screen Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a US-based body of pediatricians that works to ensure the health and well-being of children across the globe. The academy covers all areas that could directly or indirectly affect children from different age groups including teenagers.

Over the years, the trend of excessive use of digital devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets has become popular among little children. Given the negative impacts of bad digital practices on kids’ mental and physical health, parents often seem confused about what’s the ideal screen time for pediatrics.

To address this issue, this article discusses ideal screen time for children recommended by the AAP.

Part 1: What is AAP and what’s the Recommended Screen Time?

Founded in 1930, the American Academy of Pediatrics is a professional body of pediatricians that addresses pediatric healthcare standards. It has the world’s largest pediatric publishing program and collaborates with worldwide pediatricians to promote inclusive environments among children and oppose bigotry, intolerance, bias, and discrimination.

The 21^st-century technological transformations have evolved digital practices among people across different age groups, including children. The scientific debate over screen time for kids has become common in today’s popular-media hubbub. As the internet and digital devices compete for children's attention, the demand for controlled usage of digital devices has become inevitable. Hence, international bodies like the WHO and AAP have given recommendations regarding ideal screen time for children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children aged 18 to 24 months should not be exposed to digital device screens except for video calling. Besides, the American Academy of Pediatrics screen time for 2 to 5-year-old kids should not exceed one hour per day. The AAP screen time guidelines are meant to optimize kids’ involvement in outdoor activities, sedentary behavior, and sleep hours, especially for school-going children.

In addition to these recommendations, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also provided several resources to reduce kids’ screen time and promote healthy digital practices. For instance, the Academy has developed the Family Media Use Plan that helps parents monitor screen times of their kids and negotiate limits and boundaries. The Plan can be customized by parents depending on their preferences to make wise media choices. It covers the diverse needs of the whole family such as education, health, and entertainment. You can also link this plan with your website or share it with others on social media.

Part 2: How to Combat Screen Time According to AAP?

Combating screen time had never been as difficult as it is today. The lockdown and pandemic restrictions have further contributed to increasing the daily average screen time both among adults and children. To address this challenge, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has given the following recommendations to parents to limit their kids’ screen time.

Be a Good Role Model

If you want your kids to limit their usage of digital devices, you have to change yourself first. Parents can become good role models for their kids by reducing their screen time first, then advising their children to do the same. Hence, take the first step yourself to encourage your kids to follow in your footsteps.

Create Family Media Use Plan

The AAP’s Family Media Use Plan is one of the best resources to negotiate limits and boundaries around the usage of digital devices. Parents can create their personalized Family Media Use Plan as per their preferences to reduce excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops among all members of the family.

Use Parental Control Apps

Parental control apps are currently the most feasible solution to limit the excessive usage of digital devices among children. These apps are equipped with powerful features that allow parents to secretly monitor their children’s devices and social media accounts and keep an eye on their online activities. Besides, you can also create smart schedules to balance the screen time with other activities.

Promote Co-engagement

Research shows that most children spend hours and hours before screen time because they don’t know how to spend their spare time. It is the responsibility of parents to provide their children with opportunities to make their leisure time more productive and useful. Hence, engage with your children and schedule in media-less playtime every day.

Part 3: What’ the Best Parental Control App to Curb Kids’ Screen Time?

While several parental control apps are currently available on the internet, you have to choose the one that offers advanced features at an affordable price and ensures data privacy. It should also be user-friendly and empower you to limit your child’s screen time with ease.

Is there any parental control app with these features?

Yes, try FamiSafe, the most reliable parental control app powered with advanced remote monitoring features. This cross-platform app works across different platforms and allows parents to promote healthy digital practices among their children by cutting down their screen time.

FamiSafe is specifically built for youngsters and school-going children who are in the early learning phases of their life. These kids are growing their minds and trying to do different things for their mental satisfaction. FamiSafe gives you complete control over your child’s device. You can set smart schedules to encourage your kids to use their devices within specific timeframes. Beyond these schedules, the device won’t work and your kids will be encouraged to go outside to get engaged in other productive activities.

Set the best screen time for your kids by watching this video.

Conclusion

It has been verified by several studies that the excessive use of devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets results in various health problems among adults and children. To promote digital well-being among children and protect them from hazards of screen time, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended no screen time for 1 to 2-year-old kids. Similarly, the American Pediatric Association screen time is less than one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 years.

The AAP also recommends the use of parental control apps like FamiSafe to reduce children’s screen time and monitor their online activities secretly. Download FamiSafe today and take the first step towards promoting digital well-being among your kids.

Moly Swift

staff Editor