On Saturday, writer Alex Martin published an article titled “Children’s Screen Time Has Skyrocketed During the Pandemic, Worrying Parents and Experts.” Unsurprisingly, actual parents aren’t shocked by this. Martin shares alarmist anecdotes and figures about kids whose screen time has taken over their lives. A specialist who once reassured parents about screen use is now backpedaling; alarming statistics reveal that children are playing twice as much Roblox as they did last May. “Any remaining limits have disappeared,” he warns. A professor ominously predicts a “massive withdrawal phase.” “Countless kids under 10” are on TikTok! Fortnite! Snapchat! Parents feel helpless. Kids are diving into first-person shooters. Video games have morphed into social platforms and emotional outlets.
Hey, Alex? Give me a break.
My Kids Are Active, Trust Me
Here’s the reality, Alex. My partner and I have health issues. Our three sons, aged 7, 9, and 11, have been socially distanced since March 13, 2020. We had the means to buy an inflatable pool and a trampoline, but it’s January. There are no frogs to catch; yesterday gusts reached 30 miles per hour; and frankly, my two youngest might come out of this needing therapy because they’re too anxious to step beyond our front yard.
We’re engaged parents. We enjoy board games. We dive into arts and crafts. We chase them around the yard. Plus, they have each other for playtime, and being close in age allows them to create their own games; my two youngest have invented a quirky LEGO universe populated by creatures called “gloopers” living on “Glooper Island.” My middle child makes films. My youngest is fixated on a game called Castle Panic, which he plays solo. My oldest tunes into podcasts.
Eventually, They Need Screens
But that only keeps them occupied for so long. Eventually, their tablets make an appearance. Both my partner and I work. We need some time to ourselves, especially since we’re stuck in the same space as our kids 24/7 (almost) for an entire year. Sometimes, we crave an adult conversation without interruptions over:
- who isn’t playing fair in a board game
- who moved Glooper Island
- who wrecked whose art project
So, we let them grab their tablets, just as we always have, because we’ve consistently given them reasonable screen time. They might play games like Bad Piggies or Rise of Berk, or watch “Gravity Falls,” “Amphibia,” or some adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon.” This keeps them calm and allows us the adult time we desperately need. Honestly? With a pandemic happening, we require even more adult time than usual. The other night, I turned to my partner and said, “Just put on a movie for them so we can relax.”
“Yes,” he replied.
On went “Isle of Dogs.” I refuse to feel guilty about it.
We aren’t shutting our bedroom door and ignoring the world; there’s nothing wrong with taking a moment for ourselves. We catch up on books, discuss work, and share laughs quoting “Sealab: 2021.” We simply need a breather.
Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal
Yes, my kids are racking up more screen time than before the pandemic—significantly more. But Alex, not all screen time is the same. My oldest is connecting with friends. He craves social interaction that he can’t get in other ways right now. If I handed him a phone and told him to call people, you’d criticize that too. So, he might as well learn social cues and typing skills. They also engage in Dungeons and Dragons through Facebook Messenger Kids. No shame in that.
What about my other sons? Sure, some of their screen time is spent on “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” but they also watch “Planet Earth: 2.” They play a game designed for anatomy students that requires them to memorize human bones. My youngest conquered a puzzle game called Monument Valley. My oldest enjoys reading Darth Vader comics and other books.
They experiment with MIT’s Scratch coding program, use drawing apps, and create films. One game even helps them memorize elements.
All of this counts as screen time, but I don’t believe it’s damaging their brains.
So, Enough with the Screen Time Guilt
We are parents navigating an unprecedented global crisis. This is surreal. We never imagined waking up to this chaotic reality. I worry about whether my kids are developing resilience, civic responsibility, and kindness. I’m not overly concerned about needing to detox them from video games once this is all over.
Yes, my 11-year-old is currently engaged in a “Star Wars” shooting game. Go ahead and judge me. My other two are engrossed in a game involving the periodic table on their devices. So much screen time, and frankly, I don’t care. We are surviving the most challenging period our family has ever faced, and we’re doing the best we can. Screen time is the least of my worries.
Stop shaming parents. We need our devices. Our children need theirs. Taking away their phones and cutting them off from their friends, like some parents mentioned in the article? That seems harsh and potentially more harmful than staring at a screen a bit longer than usual.
You do you, of course. But I’ll hand my kids a screen, just like many parents across America, and they will be just fine.
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Summary:
In the midst of a pandemic, many parents face criticism over increased screen time for their children. The author argues that not all screen time is equal and emphasizes the importance of balance. With health challenges and social isolation, parents need to utilize technology to provide their kids with entertainment and connection. The focus should be on the well-being of families as they navigate these unprecedented times.