Here is some information provided by the Mana Ake service who support students and families throughout Canterbury with health and wellbeing matters. Screen time can be part of a healthy lifestyle for children when it’s balanced with other activities that are good for your child’s development, like physical play, reading and socialising. Getting the right balance also includes making sure screen time doesn’t interfere with sleep.

Managing Screentime and GamingScreentime – How much is too much?

Many children enjoy the thrill and excitement of online and video gaming, but when is it considered excessive and affecting a child’s wellbeing?

Raising Children Network (Australia) has created a screentime checklist to help parents determine if their child is using screens in a balanced and healthy way.

Balancing screentime

Balancing screentime with a healthy lifestyle is important for a child’s social, emotional, and physical development.

Raising Children Network (Australia) offers tips for balance to help children schedule screentime around with physical activity, creative play, reading, socialising, and sleep.

Why screentime before bed is bad for children

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone’s wellbeing, especially children.

Health Navigator includes information for parents about why screentime and bedtime don’t mix, and advice about removing electronic devices from the bedroom to provide a good sleep environment.

Is what they're watching ok?

What catches kids' attention online isn't always what’s appropriate for them, and can even be harmful.

Common Sense Media offers reviews and ratings for movies, online apps, and games so parents can feel confident about about the entertainment choices they make for their children.

Let’s make a deal

Screens have made our lives easier in many ways, but they can get too much of our attention and disrupt quality family/whānau time if we’re not careful.

The Parenting Place has made templates for family contracts to help establish agreements and rules for screentime use:

· Our Gaming Contract

· Our Technology Contract

· Our Cellphone Contract

Keeping kids safe online

Being a parent in the digital age can be challenging.

Keep it Real Online offers practical tools and advice to help keep your family/whānau safe online.