Screen-free self-care: Using art and play as a digital detox for kids
Research by JAMA Pediatrics discovered that from 2020 to 2022, the average screen time of children ages 3 to 18 increased by 1.5x to 246 minutes a day. It’s never been easier for growing children to access the internet. It’s also never been more necessary. Computers, tablets, and smartphones are integrated into many of our everyday activities, from communicating with loved ones to conducting schoolwork or self-learning, accessing healthcare services, and more.
As the internet plays a more significant role in bridging families together and encouraging creative development, take these real-world anecdotes from parents about the upside of screen time as an example; the question of balance comes into play.
How much is too much, and when do we start getting concerned about screen time?
The answer is…it’s complicated. Jason Nagata, a screentime researcher at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, shares that not all screen time is equal. Instead of equating all screen time to negative behavior, parents and caretakers must instead pay attention to the types of digital content children are consuming and how that consumption makes them feel or behave.
“Screens themselves aren’t inherently bad and they are here to stay,” Nagata says, adding that they become more of a problem when they disrupt physical and mental health.
What are the impacts of excessive screen time?
Screen time can be considered excessive if it clearly hinders a child’s ability to focus, express healthy coping mechanisms, and build positive relationships with those around them.
Studies have shown that if screen time is left unrestricted, it can lead to behavioral side effects like:
Depression
Sleep deprivation
Delays in learning and development capacity
Poor memory
Social anxiety
For many young and growing children, spending too much time in front of a screen means less time that could otherwise be dedicated to more mentally and physically engaging activities. If a child spends 246 minutes of their free time playing video games and watching YouTube, that means less time exercising, talking to people in person, enjoying nature, or forming a tangible connection with real-world places and events.
In more extreme scenarios, excessive screen time paints an unrealistic picture of the world, leading to low self-esteem and poor judgment of healthy and unhealthy expectations. These impacts can vary greatly depending on each child. External factors like overall health, family support, and their environment can exacerbate digital content’s impact on social behavior. For example, research by Frontiers in Psychology discovered a significant increase in depression risk in young and female populations who spent much of their time online.
Why is art a good digital detox tool?
In today’s world, many art forms are conducted online too. But there’s something special about sitting down and busting out supplies to create art without any screens.
Children turn to their devices because it’s fun and establishes a sense of freedom and wonder. I mean, why do we watch movies and spend hours reading about and watching people and places that we’ve never met before? It’s because it introduces us to a world that’s bigger than ourselves, and for the most part, it prompts us to think.
Art does the same. It teaches us:
Creative expression: There’s no right and wrong answer in art. It’s unique and representative of our unique emotions and journeys through life. We know the colors, shapes, and scenes that are most beautiful to us — oftentimes because they remind us of a special memory or dream. If the internet shows us how to stay in tune with trends, then art does the opposite. It helps us find our wave and ride it proudly. We want to instill this mindset in children from a very young age.
Focus: Whether it’s something as simple as a drawing or as intricate as a sculpture made of recyclable materials, it takes time to get inspired, form a concept in our head, and piece together the different ways we can execute an idea. When you ask children to create something out of nothing, you teach them to reign in their thought process and solve a problem.
Intention: When we create art, we’re being introspective. Many art activities on the My Good Brain blog emphasize reflection and self-awareness. The more in tune children are with their environment and emotions; the easier it is for them to draw inspiration and discover how the peace and mindfulness of art can be applied to everyday situations.
Remember, art doesn’t have to be difficult. You can easily incorporate art-based activities into a child’s routine by:
Creating a dedicated space or art corner in your home
Stock up on a box of basic art supplies (like colored paper, paint, crayons, glue, stickers, and more)
Making art out of reusable and recyclable things around the house
Mapping out a daily or weekly routine that clearly indicates art time (after school, on weekends, after homework, etc.)
5 activities that you can try at home
Why wait? Here are a few activities that you can get started with:
