406 Screen Time for Young Children: A Parent's Search for Answers and Options
In this day and age of smartphones, electronic billboards, TVs, and the seemingly impossible-to-avoid screen, it’s easy to lose connection to what matters most, our community as human beings. We crave connection, and by mindlessly scrolling or putting on a video to appease ourselves or a child, we inherently rob ourselves and our charges of a chance to truly connect, oftentimes causing irrevocable damage to the brain.
We know screens are here to stay, so the question becomes how we can shift how we use them to encourage in-person interaction and relationship-building.
In addition to researching how to undo the damage to young people's brains, thanks to the addictive nature of shows and games, we need to research how to reduce the harm in the first place.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Will Maurer discuss the how research on screentime for infants has been limited because of the blanket prohibition and shame related to it, and why it's critical to continue this research. (Hint: Infants will be exposed to screentime by parents, older siblings, and others, so let's figure out how to reduce harm and maybe even find value in it!)
Highlights
Screen time and how it affects infants & children's brains.
Taking steps to create a personalized plan for your child or yourself regarding screen time.
Doing the research that needs to be done, especially in necessary but difficult paths.
What exactly is it that makes certain shows addictive and damaging?
What are the consequences of ignoring the obvious - that infants are being exposed to screen time despite the general prohibition?
Quotes
“Are they absorbing anything? Is a parent able to co-view and add to that experience?”
“As a society we put a lot of money into addressing issues after the fact.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you take away from this conversation? If you don’t have young children at home, what can you do that’s a little bit different to connect with the young children you see around you? One of the things I say in my TED Talk is, we can connect with people around us through story easily and with total strangers, and one of the examples I gave is when you sit next to a family at a restaurant and you watch a child playing a familiar game or watching a familiar show and you share a brief story how your kid liked that too. This is your chance, find ways to connect to the people around you, through story.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
Mentioned in this episode
Do Policy Statements on Media Effects Faithfully Represent the Science?
About Will
As a TEDx speaker and leading voice in children’s media reform, Will Maurer is pioneering evidence-based guidelines and solutions that bridge scientific research with real-world execution. His work challenges industry norms, prioritizes early childhood learning, and champions equitable, enriching content for the next generation. Through advocacy, research, and leadership, he is reshaping the future of children's media - driving systemic change and setting new standards for quality, impact, and accessibility on a global scale.
Be sure to check out Will’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram! As well as his LinkTree!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!