Since summer is right around the corner, we thought this was the best opportunity to discuss an issue that seems to affect more and more families every year. The subject itself is the intricate relationship that many boys and girls develop with all the different screens that populate our homes and lives.
Screens are not the newest problem in the history of parenting, but as years and generations pass by, the problem evolves. At first, it was all about TV – one type of screen to deal with, offering a rather limited amount of content. A couple of decades later, cable TV made its debut, resulting in more content and, consequently, more screen time. Then, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, a rapid change took place: suddenly there were Gameboys and desktop computers around, plus expanded cable TV services. However, it was not until the mid-2000s that screens became ubiquitous, filling our lives in the form of smartphones, laptops and tablets; of course, TV’s still there, enhanced by the presence of videogame consoles and other gadgets. Nowadays, most people carry around a high-power screen in their pockets. It’s evolution, baby.
"Screen time" is a term used for activities done in front of a screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. Screen time is sedentary activity, meaning you are being physically inactive while sitting down. When it comes to adult life, screen time is part of our daily life: it usually means work, entertainment, information, distraction. It is sometimes necessary – sometimes not – and we can, more or less, control our exposure to screens. But for children, screen time holds different connotations and consequences.
The adverse effect of too much screen time to a child’s wellbeing is well documented. American author Richard Louv coined the term ‘nature deficit disorder’ in 2006 to describe the link between the lack of time spent outdoors with nature by children to behavioral problems, obesity, attention disorders and depression. TV commercials and other screen adds can lead to unhealthy food choices; most of the time, the foods in ads that are aimed at kids are high in sugar, salt or fats. Children eat more when they’re watching TV, especially if they’re exposed to food ads. Computers can help kids with their schoolwork, but surfing the internet, spending too much time on Facebook or watching YouTube videos is considered ‘unhealthy screen time’.
So what to do? First of all, put to good use what our parents used to say to us when we were kids: you’re not going to spend all the summer inside the house. Secondly, remember that you live in Australia: a vast, beautiful country that has lots of outdoors activities to offer. There are national parks, beaches, forests, deserts and they’re meant to be lived and experienced. For a fun and active weekend away, the Adventure Kids Festivals offer ‘technology detox’ for young digital natives at four of Victoria’s alpine resorts. These are designed for children aged 4 to 12 and encourage fun physical activities and an appreciation for the outdoors. Kicking off at Lake Mountain on the 5th-6th December, kids can get involved in activities including trail running, obstacle courses, bushwalking, zip lining, mountain biking, orienteering and more. The events will continue at Mt Hotham, Mt Baw Baw and Falls Creek over the summer and autumn.
Summertime is supposed to be an extraordinary time for children; it’s when a child’s most precious memories are shaped. Thing is, screens will still be there during and after summer; on the other time, spare time and opportunities to experience childhood in the best possible are not as ubiquitous. Take a minute and picture your best summer as a child; notice that if the memory feels good and warm, it probably happened outdoors.
For more information about Adventure Kids Festivals and to book, visit adventurekids.com.au.
Sources:
- Adventure Kids Festival Media Release
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