Screen time for adolescents: what is appropriate?

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If your family is like most, your teens have trouble putting down their screens at mealtime, bedtime, school, and just about anywhere! It’s a situation that is almost universal in our culture, but one that can lead to harmful long-term issues if they don’t develop some healthy habits. You can help.

According to the American Association of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry, screens can sometimes have negative consequences for a child’s or teenager’s physical, emotional, or psychological health. (Read the whole article here; it’s very helpful and informative.)

“Parents may not always know what their children are viewing, or how much time they are spending with screens. Children may be exposed to:

Violence and risk-taking behaviors
Videos of stunts or challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior
Sexual content
Negative stereotypes
Substance use
Cyberbullies and predators
Advertising aimed at your child
Misleading or inaccurate information

Too much screen time may lead to:

Sleep problems
Lower grades in school
Reading fewer books
Less time with family and friends
Not enough outdoor or physical activity
Weight problems
Mood problems
Poor self-image and body image issues
Fear of missing out
Less time learning other ways to relax and have fun”

You’ve likely seen or experienced some of these issues in your own family: your children upset because of being bullied on social media; negative stereotypes about looks and body image; a perceived need to answer every bling the phone makes or to constantly post pictures to Snapchat or Instagram. Being completely attached to a device is unhealthy, and there are some things you can do to help your teens strike a balance.

First, make sure you are modeling appropriate amounts of screen time. Do you seem to care more about a work email than about a moment with the family? Do you keep your phone with you every minute and read it constantly? Is the television on nonstop in your home?

This is a perfect subject for your teens to learn how to negotiate what’s important. Together in a family meeting (or a series of meetings) come up with a set of rules for everyone to follow. Rules might include: no devices during mealtimes; for every half hour on a device, spend a half hour in conversation or physical activity or a game; phones and devices are turned off 30 minutes before bedtime. Make sure your teens know that you have the right to monitor their activity on devices and social media, because you are keeping them safe even if they don’t like it.

Families that negotiate screen time can find that talking about it brings the family closer. Parents also probably need to focus more time on other family members instead of their screens. Modeling appropriate use of devices is a gift to them, and also to you. More time not watching a screen frees up time to do things together. And, while the things they experience and see on social media are fleeting, the time they spend with you is absolutely priceless for all of you.

Screen time guidelines for elementary school aged children

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It’s an interesting time to have an elementary school aged child, isn’t it? You watch them grow and change so quickly, and it is sometimes difficult (for you and your child) to navigate all those changes. What’s the right diet? Are they getting enough exercise? How much sleep do they need?

One question that you may not have expected to have to answer is: What is the appropriate amount of screen time for my child?

Screens are everywhere, and they are not going away. Television, gaming devices, smart phones, tablets, computers. Sometimes there are even class sessions online, and if you’re a person who uses your computer for work, you may wonder what the harm is to let your kids hang out on the computer as much as you do. It’s a great question, and experts in the pediatric field are weighing in with helpful answers.

Too much screen time for children can impede social skills, cut down on physical exercise, and even harm sleep patterns. When children are on a device, they aren’t interacting in real space with adults or peers. Spending too much time watching television or gaming keeps children from important physical activity or from being outdoors in the fresh air. Watching a screen near bedtime has been shown to negatively affect sleep quality.

So, just what is the appropriate amount of time on a screen? How do you monitor use? The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry gives some guidelines, such as:

the whole family (including adults!) shutting off screens and phones during activities and at meals;
remove screens from bedrooms at least 30 minutes before bedtime;
learn how to use parental controls;
check phones and computers to see what your children are watching;
involve your child in other activities that don’t involve screens.

(You may find the entire article helpful and can read it here.)

How much time should your elementary aged child spend with screens?

Decide when is the right age for your child to receive a mobile device, and the right age for engaging in social media.

Pay attention and be involved in your children’s screen activity. Steer them away from violent images and content, and from sexual content or media that harms their self-image; steer them toward content that helps them connect with family, that is focused on learning, and that enables them to be creative.

Screens have made the modern world more accessible and more complicated for children. You can help them navigate devices and programs in healthy ways.

Screen time for young children

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Screens are a big part of modern life, from television to computers to phones to tablets. Every family must make decisions about how much time their children can or should spend in front of a screen. Like so many things, the right decision varies with the age of the child.

Does my child’s pediatrician have thoughts about how much screen time is too much for my young child? Actually, yes.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology has these recommendations for children aged 5 and under.

“Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).
Between 18 and 24 months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.”

What we know about young children is that they need human interaction, face-to-face. Screens are not a substitute for that. We offer them no help, and may do them harm, if we teach them (even unintentionally) from an early age that screens are better than human contact. Age-appropriate games, singing and talking to and with your children, eye contact, reading to them daily—all these are more beneficial than setting them in front of a screen for hours at a time.

Remember that you are a far better teacher to your young children than any device can be. Educational programs aimed at very young children (under 18 months) are not helpful for the children to watch, because their brains can’t process the information. What you can do, though, is watch the program and mimic what the educator does as you interact with your child.

Here’s a quote from a pediatrician on the American Academy of Pediatrics website. You can read the entire blog here.

“A toddler learns a lot more from banging pans on the floor while you cook dinner than he does from watching a screen for the same amount of time, because every now and then the two of you look at each other.

Just having the TV on in the background, even if “no one is watching it,” is enough to delay language development. Normally a parent speaks about 940 words per hour when a toddler is around. With the television on, that number falls by 770! Fewer words means less learning.”

Your child learns more from you than you can imagine. Remember that as you consider screen exposure.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. William Grey, joining our practice this summer

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Just in time for back-to-school and sports physicals, Dr. William Grey will join our practice in July of this year.

Dr. Grey’s origins, education, and experience have all been in Kentucky, so he’s certainly familiar with our area. He grew up in Morehead, the youngest of three brothers—all of whom found careers in healthcare.

He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science and Biomedical Science from Morehead State University, and obtained his medical license at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently Dr. Grey is the Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Some people are inspired to be in the medical field, and Dr. Grey can’t remember a time where he wanted to be anything other than a doctor. Why a pediatrician? He says he loves working with kids because they’re funny, lighthearted, and always keep you on your toes.

During his free time, Dr. Grey enjoys watching the Wildcats and walking his dogs (Wrigley and Summer) with his fiancé Monica. They both like traveling and seeking out the best pizza or tacos wherever they go.

Even though he doesn’t begin in our practice until July, you can call to make an appointment for your child or teen ahead of that date. We look forward to having Dr. Grey as part of our Georgetown Pediatrics family, and to serving you. William Grey DO Professional Picture

Georgetown Pediatrics has a new counselor!

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In keeping with our commitment to serving the whole child (physical, mental, and behavioral) we recently hired Staci Case (CRC, LPCC) to join our staff.

Staci is both professional and personable, the perfect combination for her work. Her education is all from Kentucky: an undergraduate degree (BA in Social Work) from the University of the Cumberlands, and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from UK. In addition, she holds two specialty certificates in Developmental Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Staci works with each patient to make the counseling process individualized, because each child or teen is different, with unique needs.

As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Staci has worked with and advocated for disabilities and issues of all kinds. Included in those issues are

Autism,
Learning Disorders,
Behavior,
Brain Injury,
and others.

When asked about her work, Staci says, “I love working with kids using their strengths and interests to develop needed skills for daily life, school, and relationships. I like to help kids take ownership of their treatment goals by finding the right tools to succeed and build confidence.”

She will use Assessment, Behavior Modification, & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions; however, she makes sure therapy time is unique to each patient and their family, giving them appropriate space to explore and process. She offers academic testing, when needed, as a tool to identify possible learning limitations and to problem-solve solutions.

As a mom of 3 girls—Aubrey, Taylor, and Berkley—Staci can relate to the joys and issues of parenting. Together the family enjoys camping, fishing, softball, ballet, and helping others at every opportunity.

Are you interested in making an appointment with Staci Case? Call our office at (502) 863-6426. We are happy she’s a member of our staff, and look forward to serving your particular counseling needs.

Help your child want to wear a mask

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A year ago, no one could have guessed that a back-to-school list would include face masks, but that’s definitely where we are in 2020.

The school year is starting soon, with some huge changes. Many people are more than a little anxious about what the classroom will be like, and how students and their families, faculty, and staff will be able to navigate this new landscape of social distancing, extra hygiene, and mask-wearing.

A recent article from the American Academy of Pediatrics discusses the whys and hows of wearing masks.

Here are some guidelines.

Follow school rules. You always teach your child to respect the teachers and staff, and to obey school rules. Rules about mask wearing are no different. You may not agree with every rule, but it’s important that you support mask wearing if the school requires it.
Make sure the mask fits well. One that is too tight, too loose, or doesn’t cover both nose and mouth is not very effective.
Practice wearing at home. The whole family can wear masks for an hour, making everyone more comfortable with the sensation. Wear when you go into a store, and keep masks by the door so you don’t forget to take them when you go out.
Use age-appropriate talking points like, “Masks help us keep our germs to ourselves.” For teens, remind them that they are part of the solution for keeping themselves, their friends, and their families safe—they are being good citizens.
Avoid creating fear and anxiety. For young kids, here’s a great song video with Sesame Street characters about how we care for each other by wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping social distance.
Make mask-wearing fun. For younger children, put masks on their favorite stuffed animals. Give the child a gift of a mask you know they’ll enjoy.
Consider your budget and provide your child or teen with masks they’ll love showing off at school. Even though spending $10 or $15 for a mask sounds like a lot of money, think of it as an article of clothing. A purchase of two masks allows you to rotate them through the laundry each day. Buy masks that are washable, reusable, and that demonstrate individualism. From Amazon to Old Navy, there are masks that show support for your favorite team, are in a special color or design, or make you into a super hero. Your child or teen doesn’t like masks? Consider a neck gaiter instead; they also come in a variety of designs.
Find more ideas here from Norton Hospital in Louisville.

It takes all of us working together to keep our children, teens, and adults as safe as possible until a vaccine is widely available. We know you care about your family and your community, and we’re here to help you navigate this uncharted territory together. Call us if you have questions.

Measles

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You’ve almost certainly heard about measles outbreaks in the news lately. Also called rubeola, measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It causes a rash over the entire body, a fever and runny nose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About one out of 10 children with measles also gets an ear infection, and up to one out of 20 gets pneumonia.” Encephalitis is another severe complication that can occur. Measles can also, rarely, be fatal. Between one and two children in 1000 who get the disease will die from it. The disease can also strike adults.

Measles, as you can see, is more than just an annoying rash. It can be quite dangerous.

If you thought measles was a disease left in the past, think again. Outbreaks this year in New York and other states have health departments all over the country concerned, because such an event can happen anywhere. Over 1000 cases in nearly 30 states have been reported, the most cases since 1992—and this year is only half over. In 2000 the US was declared free of endemic measles, but this designation will soon be lost if the current epidemic is not brought under control.

Outbreaks typically begin when unvaccinated people travel abroad to places where measles is more common because a larger percentage of the population is unvaccinated.

It’s no coincidence that we used the word “unvaccinated” twice in that last sentence. The reason measles is spreading again in the United States is because of a drop in MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations.

Those who decide not to be vaccinated (or to have their children vaccinated) put themselves, their families and their communities at risk for dangerous diseases. As with most diseases, those at highest risk are the very young, the very old, and those with compromised immune systems.

The MMR vaccination is required for students in Scott County Schools, and HIGHLY recommended for all other children. The State of Kentucky requires two doses of the MMR vaccine before your child can enter school.

If you have concerns about vaccinations, talk to your pediatrician.

Remember that the extremely rare risk of a reaction to a vaccination is much smaller than the risk of being unvaccinated against a dangerous illness.

Georgetown Pediatrics welcomes Dr. Caitlyn Anglin to our practice

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We are pleased to announce the addition of a new physician at Georgetown Pediatrics.

Dr. Anglin 2 Dr. Caitlyn Anglin is returning to the place she fell in love with when she was an undergraduate at Georgetown College. Raised in Dry Ridge, KY (a small town between here and Cincinnati), she is thrilled to practice pediatrics in such a wonderful place!

Dr. Anglin sees how children bring fun and positive energy to any room, and loves working with the whole family unit to help them stay healthy and achieve a bright future. As a physician, her special interests are newborn care, ADHD, and combatting childhood obesity.

When she’s not working, Dr. Anglin enjoys running, camping, hiking, kayaking, attending concerts, and hanging out with family, friends, and her pup Pearl.

July 22 will mark Dr. Anglin’s first day in our practice. You may call our office any time to set an appointment with her for your child.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Caitlyn Anglin to our practice and to the community!

Georgetown Pediatrics welcomes Jamie Doty as our new counselor

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Jamie Picture Have you wished you could talk with or recommend a good counselor for children, adolescents, and families? We’ve heard your concerns and are pleased to announce a new hire in Jamie Doty, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, to meet those needs in our community.

Jamie’s degrees are from West Virginia University and the University of North Florida. She comes to us after several years of working in non profit mental health centers and her own counseling practice. She’ll fit in well with us, because she wants to be part of a comprehensive pediatric practice that values mental health care.

Keeping the whole family involved in the treatment process is important to Jamie as she focuses on children and adolescents. She creates a space where the client is free to express any thoughts or emotions without the risk of judgment. With adolescents, she understands the need to assist in personal growth by discovering deeper meaning and authenticity in life.

Jamie’s work will be with individuals and families, treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. Anxiety, depression, family counseling, and post-trauma therapies are among her specialties. She uses a variety of therapy styles and techniques to suit the particular situation, including art, play, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. While she will not diagnose ADD, patients who have received that diagnosis may be referred to her for counseling.

During her free time Jamie enjoys hiking, camping and traveling with her husband James and her dog iifi.

Thank you for joining us in welcoming Jamie to our practice!

You may call our office to make an appointment with her. Her office hours begin September 4, and she’s available Monday—Friday.

Is vaping a better option than smoking tobacco? The short answer: No.

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The use of e-cigarettes, or vaping, is growing nationwide and in our own community. While the purchase of e-cigarettes is limited to those who are 18+ years old, it’s not that hard to get your hands on e-cigarettes if you’re under legal age.

In our practice we’re very concerned about how e-cigarette ads target teens, and we’re seeing an increase in usage. The “juice” that is used in e-cigarettes comes in child and teen-friendly flavors. This juice is heated by a coil in the device, delivering a high dose of nicotine.

E-cigarettes and other vaping devices may look like traditional cigarettes or cigars, or they may be designed to look like pens, flash drives, or any number of items. These ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems) might seem cool, or even a way to quit smoking tobacco, but the nicotine is highly addictive and dangerous.

According to an article by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), here are some important points to know about vaping:

“Kids might use different words to talk about e-cigarettes and vaping. For example, “Juuling” is a popular word among the patients of Susanne E. Tanski, M.D., a tobacco prevention expert from the AAP, to describe using a brand of e-cigarette. About one in four kids who use e-cigarettes also tries “dripping.” Instead of using a mouthpiece to vape, they drip the liquid directly onto a heat coil. This makes the vapor thicker and stronger.
Kids can order “e-juice” on the Internet. The legal age to buy e-cigarettes is 18 years, but online stores don’t always ask for proof of age.
E-cigarette juices are sold in flavors like fruit, candy, coffee and chocolate. Most have the addictive ingredient nicotine. The more kids vape, the more hooked they become. “This is potent stuff,” Dr. Tanski said.
Kids who vape just once are more likely to try other types of tobacco. Their developing brains make it easier for them to get hooked, according to a recent study.
E-cigarettes may not help people quit using tobacco. Some adults use e-cigarettes when they want to stop smoking tobacco cigarettes. While a recent report found e-cigarettes are “less toxic” than cigarettes, most people who use e-cigarettes do not quit using cigarettes.”

The link above also contains a 30-second video about vaping. If your child or teen is vaping, you should be concerned. We can provide a consultation with your child to help them understand the dangers of nicotine addiction. Call for an appointment.