Maximum "Screen Time" for a 9 yr old

[mathmom]

Well for some mystery reason, both my kids have perfect vision, even though both parents are myopic and since we both lived overseas as kids we barely watched TV much less were on computers. I realize anecdote doesn't equal data, but still!

[Wildwood11]

I think kids are more susceptible to vision problems (nearsightedness) with heavy reading. That was definitely the case with two generations in our family. There is a direct correlation between the amount of reading and the degree of myopia. Would you limit that activity to prevent something that can be dealt with relatively easily?

[mathmom]

^My kids are heavy readers too!

[Python20]

These articles are not showing any research about screen time and eye sight. The first one states that there is no research on this - but stick to 2 hours anyway. The 2 hours is just a nice round number that feels good, and is now being used as doctrine.

The article on China is talking about reading an eye strain - and says they are making sure students get 45 minutes outside during an entire day.

If your son is spending 8 hours outdoors already in the summer, let him spend more time programming if that's his choice! Certainly provide options, but let him make some decisions on his time in the summer.

[ahammond]

It's important to remember that correlation does not imply causation. Just because a lot of antisocial people use the computer a lot doesn't mean your child will become one if he's permitted unlimited screen time. From about the age of three, I would spend hours in front of the computer. When my parents bought a computer exclusively for me and put it in my room for my tenth birthday, I spent every second I could at the keyboard. It didn't turn me into a serial killer or a hermit; it just added extreme technical literacy to my extant social skills.

[noimagination]

I think kids are more susceptible to vision problems (nearsightedness) with heavy reading. That was definitely the case with two generations in our family. There is a direct correlation between the amount of reading and the degree of myopia. Would you limit that activity to prevent something that can be dealt with relatively easily?

I wonder if that's what happened to me. Not sure the critical reading boost was worth dealing with contact problems all the time...

[emeraldkity4]

I read op post to say that he is spending four hours at the pool, two hours playing out side. The rest of the time he is playing on the computer or reading ( two hours)

That's quite a lot of time to be staring at something close and sitting still.
It's important to take a ten min break every hour.
http://www.aoa.org/x5379.xml

[emeraldkity4]

I am so emphatic about this, because my eyes are very bad. I have been a voracious reader since early elementary, but now my eyes aren't completely correctable. I have difficulty both reading and reading signs while driving despite glasses. ( very nearsighted)

I also am a strong proponent of cross midline exercise for neurological development. I think the swimming is great, keep it up. But I have one more point to make.

I don't think kids should be steered into "tracks" in high school, middle school & certainly not in elementary school. Professional tracks- such as engineering, education, medicine, business- are best supported IMO by graduate degrees not undergrad majors.
Why then would we not do our best to facilitate our nine year old child to have a range of experiences during his summers, not just a few?

[Ozweepay]

Hi I'm the OP.

First, I'd like to clarify something that has been widely misconstrued about my original question. When I said, "even if we spend 4 hours at the pool, 2 reading, 2 playing outside, there is a lot of free time left over" I did not mean to imply that every day we spend 4 hours at the pool. I was giving an extreme case of a lot of outdoor activity and then saying, even in that case there is a lot of time left over.

Although we strive to make sure our boys spend some time outside every day (weather permitting), they may not get this level of activity on some/most days. They usually spend at least an hour per day playing outside, often more.

[Ozweepay]

Today at my 9 yr old's "game programming" summer camp, I surveyed the 12 or so kids in the room (all but one of whom are male).

Question 1: How much computer time are you allowed per day?

Overwhelmingly the answer was "2 hours". One boy said "1 hour" and another said "unlimited." They were very jealous of Mr Unlimited, of course.

Question 2: Do you have to earn your computer time each day?

Overwhelmingly the answer was "yes", with the earnings instrument being chores, exercise, reading, and the like.

Question 3: Do your parents distinguish between gaming screen time and educational screen time?

Most said "no". But then, most of these kids are just entering into a part of their lives where they can do more educational activities on a computer (ie, programming).

[Lakemom]

Here are the references for this Mayo Clinic article that talks about 2 hrs of screen time. It is not just a made up number.

Children and TV: Limiting your child's screen time - MayoClinic.com


References
Christakis DA, et al. Television, video and computer game usage in children under 11 years of age. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2004;145:652.
Dennison BA, et al. Television viewing and television in bedroom associated with overweight risk among low-income preschool children. Pediatrics. 2002;109:1028.
The benefits of limiting TV. American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org - The Benefits of Limiting TV. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
Jordan AB, et al. Reducing children's television-viewing time: A qualitative study of parents and their children. Pediatrics. 2006;118:e1303.
Ginsburg KR, et al. The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics. 2007;119:182.
Thompson DA, et al. The association between television viewing and irregular sleep schedules among children less than 3 years of age. Pediatrics. 2005;116:851.
Borzekowski DLG, et al. The remote, the mouse and the No. 2 pencil: The household media environment and academic achievement among third grade students. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2005;159:607.
Zimmerman FJ, et al. Early cognitive stimulation, emotional support, and television watching as predictors of subsequent bullying among grade-school children. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2005;159:384.
Media education: What parents can do. American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org - Media Education: What Parents Can Do. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
Laurson KR, et al. Combined influence of physical activity and screen time on recommendations on childhood overweight. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2008;153:209.
Broughton DD. Keeping kids safe in cyberspace. AAP News. 2005;26:11.
Children, adolescents and television. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Public Education. Pediatrics. 2001;107:423.
Page AS, et al. Children's screen viewing is related to psychological difficulties irrespective of physical activity. Pediatrics. 2010;126:e1011.
Sege RD. Television and media violence. UpToDate Inc.. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
Christakis DA, et al. Preschool-aged children's television viewing in child care settings. Pediatrics. 2009;124:1627.
What children are not doing when watching TV. American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org - What Children are NOT Doing When Watching TV. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
Swing EL, et al. Television and video game exposure and the development of attention problems. Pediatrics. 2010;126:214.

[psych_]

Sitting down for more than three hours a day can shave a person's life expectancy by two years, even if he or she is physically active and refrains from dangerous habits like smoking, according to a study to be published on Tuesday in the online journal BMJ Open.

Well, I've been out of luck since day one, then. Even though I'm relatively active, I have a disability that makes it very difficult for me to stand for more than 10-15 minutes at time and walk for more than maybe 30 minutes, if that.

Also, everyone who has an office job or is an academic appears similarly out of luck.

[Vladenschlutte]

How many people out there spend less than 3 hours a day sitting down every day for even a 3 month period? That sounds so bizarre to me.

[b@r!um]

How many people out there spend less than 3 hours a day sitting down every day for even a 3 month period? That sounds so bizarre to me.

I didn't spend much time sitting when I was working summer jobs in a warehouse and on an assembly line. My waitress mom doesn't sit much, and neither does my construction worker dad. My grandparents were farmers and didn't sit much either, except on days when they were working out in the fields (someone had to drive the truck).

I am rather entertained that some white-collar folks can't even imagine sitting for less than 3 hours/day.

[alh]

As the mom of grown children, involved for many years in homeschooling groups and with so-called gifted education, I enjoy giving advice. Thanks for the opportunity. My opinion is that when nine year olds are self-motivated to teach themselves and achieve competence in activities that have possible short term and long term positive benefits, they should be allowed to do so. I don't necessarily think parents should provide over-the-top props and encouragement but I do think the child should be respected and supported. I would not limit computer time for serious "work" at all, unless you have concerns about potential health risks. Screens and small children worry me, but I'm also rather concerned about electricity so my opinion there is of no use.