How Should I Manage my Son’s Screen Time? He Is Autistic
“How would you suggest I manage my 7 year old son’s screen time? he’s also autistic so i don’t want to take away one of the things he depends on like the ipad, but i’m worried that he’s spending too much time on it, plus his online learning hours are also on a screen so it’s like there’s almost no non–screen time right now.”
You are not the only parent wondering if their child is having too much screen time. I think it is a good idea for you to make a proper assessment of how much screen time your son is having a day but also what he is doing when he is on the screen. Make a record of it over a week: time and activity and then with that objective information, evaluate if he is really spending too much time on it.
Your goal should be for your child to find a balance between his screen time, and time he spends outdoors, with friends and family, at school, sleep…. Ideally, he should find a balance between all aspects of his life.
If you find that he is really spending too much time on the screen, have a chat with him about it and renegotiate with him new rules that you both agree with.
I hope this helps!
Regards,
Ana
Dr Ana Aznar
Related readings:
Children, Mental Health, and Screens
