Disconnect to Connect
We realize that screen time can be divisive—we’re not trying to make anyone feel guilty about their parenting practices. TV, tablets, and phones are all important parts of everyday life. Some families ban screen time for their children. Other families provide each child with their own TV or tablet and don’t limit their use. Many families are somewhere in between. There are some reputable guidelines out there regarding screen time, but there’s also a lot of misinformation. You can probably guess, that too much screen time is associated with negative outcomes, but why? And how do you think about moderation?
The most concerning negative outcome that has been associated with screen time and meals is overweight and obesity. This is especially concerning for kids on the autism spectrum because being on the spectrum is also associated with overweight and obesity. Understanding what to do with this information can be tricky because a lot of studies treat all screen time the same, but there’s clearly a difference between Facetiming with Nana and playing a violent video game for hours. Also, many of the studies look at overall screen time and don’t take into consideration when the screen time is occurring. Being on your phone during class is really different than being on your phone when you’re vegging out after class. Another thing that’s tricky is that the findings can vary by the child’s age, so if you read something, it can be hard to tell if the information really applies to your child. In general, too much screen time seems to be more problematic for younger children, but screen time right before bed could be problematic at any age (including adulthood).
There are benefits to families using screens together. When families are on computers in the same space or phones in the same space, it can provide natural opportunities to teach children about online safety. Also, children need to learn how to regulate their own screen time. They need supported practice on how to do that. Video games can be a way to teach emotional regulation skills and social skills. Sometimes, parents need breaks, and using a TV show to keep kids occupied can be the only way you can squeeze in a little self-care.
But mealtimes are one of the routines where screens can be problematic. Using screens during meals affects both your eating behavior and your conversation. When you or your kids are watching TV while your eating, your not as in tune with your body'’s cues so you’re more likely to overeat. But for some families, having the TV on can help facilitate conversations during meals. If having the TV on is really important to your family, serve the meal in the kitchen and carry it out to the TV area. That way you are less like to keep eating even after your no longer hungry.
What can be a little more insidious is personal digital devices like phones and tablets. Often the person who’s on their phone doesn’t realize that they have checked out of the conversation, but that’s exactly what happens whether it’s a kid or a parent. Sometimes spouses getting on the same page about using personal digital devices during meals is more difficult than setting boundaries with children. When we watched families eat dinner when one person in the family started using a personal digital device not only did they withdraw from the conversation, but it tended to make it difficult for the other members of the family to talk to each other.
References
All content is original to Mealtimes on the Spectrum, but is based on the following scientific literature:
Cross, C., Moreno, M.A., Chassiakos, Y.R., Radesky, J., & Christakis, D. (2016). Family media plan. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthchildren.org
Robinson, T. N., Banda, J. A., Hale, L., Lu, A. S., Fleming-Milici, F., Calvert, S. L., & Wartella, E. (2017). Screen media exposure and obesity in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 140(Supplement 2), S97-S101. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1758K
Gwynette, M. F., Sidhu, S. S., & Ceranoglu, T. A. (2018). Electronic screen media use in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 27(2), 203-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2017.11.013