Recently, my seven-year-old was glued to the latest “Ocean Explorers” movie. He eagerly informed me about the numerous volcanoes in the Pacific.
“Yes,” I replied. “That’s known as ‘The Ring of Fire.’”
“I know,” he said. “The Ring of Fire encircles the whole Pacific Ocean. Some volcanoes are small and some are enormous.” After that, he returned to his movie. I brought it up again while writing this, and once more he explained what the Ring of Fire is. He absorbed this information from a cartoon. You can complain about screen time, but it’s not all the same.
If you disagree, you probably haven’t experienced “Sesame Street” as a child.
I use Duolingo for Spanish, and whenever I encounter numbers, I find myself singing the “Sesame Street” counting song to remember seis and siete (my mind tends to jumble them). “Sesame Street” taught me:
- Basic Spanish vocabulary
- Environmental awareness (too much trash)
- Mourning (remembering Mr. Hooper)
- Numbers (thanks to a vampire)
- The alphabet (no joke; I genuinely learned my letters from “Sesame Street”)
Sure, my parents let me watch plenty of shows like “David the Gnome,” “The Smurfs,” and “My Little Pony,” which may not have been the best use of time. However, “Sesame Street” was incredibly beneficial, and that’s precisely its purpose. With the rise of quality children’s programming, there’s no justification for labeling all screen time as detrimental. Not everything is like “Caillou.” My kids do watch their fair share of rubbish (hello, “Dragon Riders”), but they also enjoy plenty of educational content.
So please, don’t judge me.
There’s a lot of “Magic School Bus” in my home. Ms. Frizzle is both entertaining and informative. She’s not the same as my kids watching “Amphibia” or “Gravity Falls,” fun as those shows are. We also have “Odd Squad” and “Dino Dan” or “Dino Dana.”
But this isn’t just about showcasing my kids’ screen choices; it’s about the inevitable judgment we face.
We Often Judge All Screen Time
When I mention that my kids watch TV during lunch and often dinner, I can almost hear the gasps of disapproval. You probably think I’m a terrible parent, contributing to the decline of modern family life.
But then I clarify that they only watch documentaries—carefully selected ones related to their homeschool lessons, paleontology, or human evolution, their two favorite science topics. So while they munch on chicken nuggets, they might be watching a documentary about Denisovans and how their DNA has been found in certain human populations.
This shouldn’t be categorized as screen time. My kids can accurately pronounce “Neanderthal,” identify their historical range, and discuss various theories about their extinction, including how they differ from modern humans. Why does it matter that this knowledge came from a screen?
Screen Time Is the Future
Talk to my partner, who teaches high school: screen time is where the future lies. If you feel helpless in your attempts to pry your child away from their screens, understand that they’re engaging with the world they’ll inhabit as adults. Books? My eldest enjoys physical books but also reads on his Kindle Fire. Is that screen time? What about reading a Star Wars novel or comic on his Kindle Fire?
Then he switches to researching UFO sightings—on a tablet. Students will learn on tablets, and I’m not talking just about virtual schooling. They’ll occasionally watch educational TV programs, taking notes on another device at the same time. You’ve likely noticed how prevalent screens are in schools as districts increasingly provide laptops to students. They’re not just using them for word processing or research; they’re also watching YouTube videos of Shakespeare adaptations and reading books via Project Gutenberg. They socialize, too.
Socializing Online Has Its Benefits
Don’t you have online friends? So does my 11-year-old. They play Dungeons and Dragons online every Thursday night. Especially during the pandemic, virtual socializing became crucial.
Yes, some online interactions can be harmful, and we all recognize the difficulties of logging off social media. We know the risks of allowing our children to socialize online, from inappropriate content to bullying, making it tempting to restrict their accounts entirely.
However, my dysgraphic son has improved his writing skills through predictive text while messaging friends. Using Messenger Kids allowed him to connect with others during lockdown. The combination of Messenger Kids and Google Hangouts hosted by other moms enables him to play D&D with his friends. None of that screen time was wasted; it helped maintain his mental health during a challenging year with limited social interactions.
So please, stop judging all types of screen time. Yes, some parents let their kids endlessly play video games during the pandemic without any educational merit. But a significant amount of screen time is beneficial. So don’t be judgmental—even if my kids are currently watching “Amphibia.” In an hour, they’ll be engaged in something else.
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In summary, not all screen time is created equal. While it’s easy to dismiss it as harmful, many programs can educate and enrich children’s lives. With the right choices, screen time can be a valuable tool for learning and socialization.