ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to examine the research and the flaws in that research, and look at screen time from a prevention science lens. When the people first started teaching student classes on digital citizenship, they would survey the students about their screen time usage. The media and other hyperbolic studies and reports treat screen time as the reason behavior changes. The chapter examines the research behind screen time, which, while more data is needed, shows that screen time is more a symptom of other causes and has smaller effects than the people think. Screen time can be a protective factor for some children, and issues of screen time can be mitigated with regular communication, education, and family strategies for screens. Some parenting strategies to establish healthy amounts of screen time are included. Mindfulness and meditation are strategies that can help individuals be more emotionally aware of the effects of screens, and help people sleep.
