Experts Share Tips for Finding the Right Balance on Kids’ Screen Time

For many parents, finding the right balance between technology and screen time can be a challenge.

As digital tools become a bigger part of everyday life, experts say the conversation should focus not only on how much time children spend on screens, but also how they are using that technology.

At Camp URJ Six Point SciTech Academy in Massachusetts, campers are learning coding, 3D printing, robotics, and ways to combine technology with music and art.

Technology educator Jamie Dale Maladyne says the goal is to help young people understand how digital tools can be used creatively and positively.

Research shows teens are spending more time in front of screens. A Common Sense Media survey of teenagers ages 13 to 18 found that between 2015 and 2021, teens averaged about 8 hours and 39 minutes of screen time each day.

Experts say too much screen time can impact both mental and physical health, but parents can play an important role by staying involved.

Instead of simply setting limits, Maladyne encourages parents to ask questions about the technology their children enjoy, including video games, online communities, and how digital platforms are created.

She says developing critical thinking skills around technology can help prepare young people for future careers in fields ranging from entertainment and medicine to aerospace engineering.

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