Viva Vitality: Create a family media plan
By Amanda Poll
Winter means cold days, winter break from school, and the chance to spend time with the people we care about. It also means more time available to spend on screens and devices.
According to research from MediaSmarts.ca, parents report that about 36 per cent of children aged 10 to 13 spend three hours or more per day using digital devices for reasons unrelated to schoolwork. That’s at least 21 hours a week!
Creating a family media plan can help you and your family set media priorities that are customized to meet your family’s needs and values. Family media plans help clarify and establish household rules for digital behaviour and can help children establish a healthy relationship with media.
The most effective agreements are those that include all family members in the decision making. These plans can be revised whenever is needed – for example, at the beginning of the school year, or during the winter break from school.
Here are some things to think about when creating your plan:
MANAGE screen use - through plans, rules, and limits.
Make and regularly review or revise a Family Media Plan including individualized time and content limits.
Be present and engaged when screens are used and, whenever possible, watch together and talk about the content.
Discourage media multitasking, especially during homework.
Learn about parental controls and privacy settings.
Know your child's or teen’s passwords and login information for devices and social media accounts, to help ensure safety online.
Speak with children and teens about acceptable and unacceptable online behaviours.
Encourage MEANINGFUL screen use - so that time spent online serves a purpose.
Make sure daily routines come first: face-to-face interactions, sleep, and physical activity.
Encourage your child to watch programs that help teach, such as shows about nature, science, the arts, music or history.
Help children and teens to choose content that’s appropriate for their age and stage.
Be a part of your children’s media lives. For example, join in during video game play and ask about their experiences and encounters online.
Ask your child’s school, after school program or childcare centre whether they have a plan for digital literacy and screen use.
MODEL healthy screen use - adults are important role models in practicing healthy digital habits.
Review your own media habits: Plan time for hobbies, outdoor play and activities.
Have daily screen-free times, especially during family meals.
Turn screens off when not in use, including background TV.
Avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime.
Keep screens out of bedrooms.
Learn more about family media plans and digital wellness at digitalwellnesscoalition.weebly.com and mediasmarts.ca.
Amanda Poll is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services.