How much screen time are your children having daily now?

amother

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 1:41 pm

My kids are having waaay more then usual
which I feel bad about as we usually have at most 1 hr. Now we have -

1 hr online school with their teachers
2 - 2.5 hrs of movies (split in two so I can get one break in the morning and one in the afternoon)
1/2 hr of something educational
1/2 hr exercise video
1/2 games

Total 4.5 - 5hrs how bad is that? Can't Believe It

What about your kids?

ora_43

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 1:59 pm

I just saw a post on a parenting group:

"Despite the coronavirus, I'm still setting a strict limit on screen time. No more than 24 hours a day."

I haven't even been counting educational videos and online learning time. Overall I'm about where you (OP) are, including a similar breakdown of what they watch when.

I'm not too worried. It's better than the alternatives (me not working at all, trying to actively teach several kids simultaneously, not having "stop that or you won't get to see the movie later" as a warning when they're deliberately getting on each other's nerves...). And I do think some screen time is "healthy" screen time. Educational videos that don't have tons of flashing lights, rapid screen changes, etc, are a good way to learn.

amother

Lemon

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:06 pm

8 year old: 1 hour of koydesh online class with his rebbe + 30 minutes of learning plattform
6 year old: 1 hour of koydesh online class with his rebbe
5 year old: 20 minutes of family videos (simchas)
2 year old: none

but hey, thats day four. I dont know what will happen after 5 weeks without school

amother

Lilac

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:10 pm

My kids are in online school (have been for years). At least 6 hours a day on the computer, some days more (whatsapp video calls with friends after school, some entertaining videos, etc.).

I try to have them listen to audio stories as much as possible, which minimizes the calls for more videos.

Raisin

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:13 pm

Way more then usual but its tied to getting all his worksheets done and getting exercise and helping. Supposed to be a half hour of educational games and a half hour of any games he wants but I usually get distracted and forget. Smile

Raisin

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:15 pm

My other kid is on online school (not because of virus, she always is) for about 5 hours a day plus she spends a lot of time socialising online. And her limmudei chol teacher is teaching via video call now as well.

amother

Vermilion

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:33 pm

I’m not counting educational, but non educational is about the same as usual (I try keeping it under an hour, but sometimes will go over a drop—but never more than 45 minutes in one sitting)

amother

Salmon

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:37 pm

Only educational. A lot of it, but No movies. I’ve decided though that if I need, Max 30 min. A day. 2-2.5 hours a day of movies ON TOP of all the other screen time sounds excessive, but desperate times call for desperate measures....
- they also get 30 min. Of audio books which are not educational but better than movies imo

amother

Teal

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:48 pm

I have no idea. I’ve been sick in bed and my husband is away and my children have been spending way too much time in front of a screen. I’m just glad they’re actually playing outside a bit each day.

amother

Lime

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 2:59 pm

So far 30 minutes of kid videos. I put it on when I need to go onto a hotline to talk to my students.

It’s the best babysitter.

amother

Ecru

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 3:42 pm

My kids are earning screen time by

Davening
Morning chores
Helping in the kitchen
Speaking nicely to each other
Giving me some time alone

Under normal circumstances I don't believe in bribery, but desperate times.....

Amother cuz I shared this with others who've asked.

amother

Ivory

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 4:37 pm

All day, pretty much as school has been converted to virtual . and normally they use some at school and none or very little at home. So now Im not allowing anything besides what is required for school. which is already way too much in my opinion.

saw50st8

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 5:34 pm

My kids are in "school" from 9-2:30 (about half of that is on a computer), my oldest until 4.

If they go outside for 30 minutes, I let them do more screen time because I am still working.

amother

Bisque

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 5:39 pm

Definitely subject to change, but for now my oldest has 1 hour on video conferencing with his rebbi in the morning and 30 minutes of educational programming in the afternoon. My second has 30 minutes of pre recorded video from her teachers in the morning and 30 minutes of educational programming in the afternoon. My third has 30 minutes of educational programming in the afternoon.

I have stopped working since they're home, so my attention is not really needed for anything else. Screen time will probably increase once I start pesach cleaning. We'll see.

amother

Beige

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 5:44 pm

Only have one, she's 22 months and she's getting too much screen time. I'm still working full time from home and we're quarantined. No help from DH so I'm on my own. I just can't keep her busy and happy all day with only an hour break for a nap. She's watching kiddie videos at least 2 hours a day.

amother

Periwinkle

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 6:21 pm

Usually my kids get no screen time, aside from the rare DVD or looking at family pictures, today they watched a short oorah video and also mendy music... was probably about an hour.

amother

Blue

Wed, Mar 18 2020, 6:26 pm

Embarrassed to say but my 3 year old getting about 4 hours of screen time (2 in morning, 2 in afternoon) so I can get stuff done. She is VERY attached. and its all been shows or movies. Please send links to something educational!!!