TECHNOLOGY Dylan Ramsey, 11, of Leicester, plays games on the computer. His current passion is Minecraft, played solo or online with friends. DAVID W. RAMSEY/ SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
How much is too much?
Families develop strategies for managing screen time 6
By Pam J. Hecht, WNC Parent contributor
I
t was a “black Christmas” in 2011 for Kristi Schleder, parent of two in East Asheville. The holiday marked the time her son Neil, 13, and daughter, Erin, 10, first received their own hand-held electronic devices — an iPod Touch for her and an Amazon Kindle for him, she says. It hit a nerve for Schleder, who now feels the need to monitor their screen time.
With the increasing popularity of electronic technology, like computers, smartphones and iPods, the effects of screen time on children are of growing concern among parents. Studies have already linked excessive amounts of screen time to childhood obesity as well as other physical and mental health issues among children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no electronic media for children younger than 2, and just one to two
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