Is it the content that’s on the screen time that’s the problem or the screen itself?

Really interested to see the responses, as I have no idea!

I think it's a mixture of both, but more so the content. From what I've researched a lot programmes create them so that kids do become addicted. Things that I try to look out for is how many seconds a frame is on for, for example I think Bluey has quite long frames compared to things like Cocomelon which is like 2 seconds sometimes! and that impacts how your child's brain develops as it creates dopamine spikes. It's a bit like TikTok for adults, it creates a really short attention span hence why screen time has been linked heavily to ADHD. I started off saying no screens until my son is like 3-4 but that quickly slipped, as life happens and parenting is tough! Imo every child is different and if they're getting fresh air, are active and have good food, and doesn't seem distressed when the TV is off, it isn't an issue x

Mostly it's screen itself. At that time kids don't need to use their imagination to play, they don't get to be bored to come up with games. Also it's bad for eyesight and their behaviour. I see my kids have more tantrums when they have more screen time 🙂

It’s both. There’s ‘better’ and ‘worse’ options for screen time but it’s still screen time. They need to be bored at this age and learning through exploration and play. They don’t do any of that whilst sat watching a screen, regardless of content.

I view screen time as break time for me. It means I can go and wash up without having to baby wear and have her pulling my face or arms or kicking me. Or needing my attention in her activity seat. It's only for 30 minutes max a day and the TV is usually on in the background because my brain needs noise or the bad thoughts come in. She usually ignores the TV unless it's Miss Apple or the smiley face baby sensory videos (little stars I think it is)

Both... The stimulation, the attention, the lack of play, the sedentarism, the lack of social interaction.

I’ve wondered this a lot too, my little girl loves looking at photos on my phone and I remember looking through the family photo albums all the time when I was younger (real photos obviously). I was thinking of getting some photo books printed especially for her to go through.

@Helen totally get it, this was a non judgement post just because I’ve also had my mum pop me in front of the tv when I was young and it hasn’t done me any harm at all, but I live in a completely different environment to what we did as kids. we have a lot of nature around us so we use that to our advantage, but use a ‘real’ programme such as tractor ted majority of the time for her whilst I have some time for me. I try to include her in all things I do but sometimes she needs her space too 👍 Thank you for commenting everyone, it’s an interesting one, thought up whilst I was kneading dough this morning whilst she watching the screen😂🍞

You know it’s really funny because I’m not sure if this was said back in the days when we were kids also however I was literally plonked in front of the tv all my life! My mum would send me to my grandmas while she worked until I was school age and my grandma would always have cartoons on tv for me to watch when we was indoors. When I was at home I had a tv in my bedroom and my Nintendo 64 that I would play all the time. The tv I used to watch videos of rugrats over and over 😂 then when PlayStation came out my Nintendo switched for a ps1. I shared my bedroom with my older sister who had her own radio (that was her vice) but otherwise I felt like an only child and I had a great imagination! I played schools with my dolls, mum and baby, would go outside and climb trees and walls, make ant funfairs, play hopscotch, football, on my bike.. it was endless.. so I am very curious about this too

I think too much screen is a lot of the problem but having small amounts of bad screen time is also a problem

Depending on the child, it can definitely be both. My boys are 9, 6, & 2. We allow 60 minutes of PBS Kids OR one movie on Mondays and Fridays (after daily responsibilities are done). Then on Saturday and Sunday nights, we watch 40-60 minutes of Pokemon as a family. They're definitely more overstimulated on the weekends than on Monday and Friday.