Screen time management has become an integral part of modern education and parenting, with the increased dependency on digital products. Online learning for entertainment, children and teenagers spend more time in front of screens than ever before. However, excessive screen time can lead to adverse effects on physical health, social skills, mental well-being, and academic performance. Michael Black, a student success advocate, provides actionable ideas on how to balance and live with digital devices in a healthy way. His top recommendations for parents, educators, and students to effectively manage screen time follow.
Effects of Excessive Screen Exposure
Screen time has various effects on all aspects of well-being:
Physical Health: A lot of screen time could lead to sedentary behaviour, eye strain, headaches, and poor posture.
Mental Health: There has been a relationship between increased screen time and other problems, like anxiety, depression, and disrupted sleep
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Academic Performance: Screens can be helpful in learning but uncontrolled usage distracts students and makes them unable to concentrate in class, leading to lower grades.
In that regard, Michael Black underlines a planned approach for screen time with the healthy habits and mindfully practicing technology.
Michael Black Guidelines on Managing Screen Time
1. Set Clear Boundaries and Schedules
Screens would definitely not replace those essential requirements like homework, family moments, and a bit of physical exercise. According to Michael Black, a ‘structured schedule should be planned, and based on these, screen limits depend strictly on age and context because for younger children aged five to twelve years, limit recreational screen use to an average of two hours daily.
Teenagers (13–18 years) Ensure screen time is balanced by other activities, socialising, and going to bed at least 1-2 hours before sleep.
A family routine not allowing screens in the course of meal times or any family events contributes to healthier lifestyle habits according to Black, who insists that habits need to first be initiated by parents on themselves so that children could follow and imitate adults.
2 .No screens in the bedroom to enhance the quality of sleep.
Screen-free dining rooms that foster conversation.
Study spaces that do not encourage multitasking between entertainment and academics. According to Black, these boundaries enable students to focus and participate more meaningfully in non-digital activities.
3. Technology as a Productivity Tool, Not Entertainment Only
Michael Black advocates for using screens as tools for learning and not only as an entertainment tool. He encourages students to use the screens for:
Educational apps and online courses.
Coding or graphic design software for developing new skills.
eBooks, or even documentary films, for a variety in the endless scrolling
This model avoids the usual passivity of consumption but develops skills through active learning.
4.Restricting screen time in the classroom.
Online learning involves break after break
Breaks are also taken when a student is learning online so not to tire them out as well. Michael Black recommended to users to use the 20-20-20 model:
For every 20 minutes spent at the computer, get up to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break from the glare.
Teachers may also be able to make plans to take brain breaks— brief periods of movement or de-stressing—and keep kids engaged.
5. Teaching Digital Well-being in the Classroom
According to Michael Black, there is nothing wrong with educating children to responsibly use a device. Some of what digital well-being programs would teach them is to
Recognize when they have overused the devices such as turning bad if they did not receive their phone.
Utilise apps that monitor and regulate screen time.
Interact more in real life than in virtual space.
Teaching these lessons within the school setting will prepare students to become more conscious and make better tech choices.
6.Other Screen Addiction Reduction Activities
Encourage Physical Activity and Outdoor Games
Michael Black insists that outdoor games must be interplayed with screen use. Exercise positively influences mental well-being and creates social capabilities. Parents and teachers can:
Team sport or physical education
Explore the outdoors on a hike or bicycle tour
Develop yoga or dancing routines to keep moving throughout the day. All of these activities do more than reduce screen reliance, though; they bring well-being on all levels into a child’s life.
7. Developing Interests and Creativity
Generally, children turn on the screen because they get bored. Michael Black makes suggestions that families encourage other activities that stimulate their imagination through:
Art classes
Music lessons
Dancing classes
Reading for leisure or creating stories.
Hands-on crafts and DIY activities.
Interest exploration through various activities makes kids less screen-dependent for recreation.
8.Parental Involvement with Communication
Practice Open Communication with Screen Usage
Instead of imposing stringent rules, according to Michael Black, open communication regarding usage of screens is a way to cope with issues. Parents may ask the child:
Which are your favourite applications or games?
How do you feel after using the internet?
Are there any screen-related activities which stress you?
These questions help parents find patterns and work with children to develop healthier screen habits by discussing these questions.
9. Reward System
Use Screen Time Make good behaviour limit bad behaviour-desirable, by offering restricted screen time. According to Black, of good behaviour earn a right to recreational screen time for particular academics or household activities of completion such as:
Earning 30 minutes of game time after homework completion
Gaining extra screen time for assisting with chores.
This practice upholds the notion that screen time is a privilege and not a right.
10.Sleep Hygiene and Screen Time
Set a Digital Curfew for Healthy Sleep
Michael Black writes that screens should be minimised before sleeping. Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, making it harder to sleep. He recommends:
A digital curfew at least one hour before bed.
Substituting screens with soothing bedtime routines such as reading or journaling.
Making night mode or the use of blue light filters if using screens at night are unavoidable.
These habits ensure that learners are adequately rested and refreshed, a fact proven by science to aid in concentration and accomplishment.
Conclusion
Michael Black’s suggestions for a better control over screen usage give a very practical approach about how to balance the screen usage with well-being. Thereby, students can foster healthy relationships with digital technology by setting boundaries, practising physical activities, improving and maintaining communication, and observing mindful habits about using any device. This is all about making conscious choices with respect to the time you spend on the screen which enhances learning, productivity, and personal development.
Hence, effective screen time management is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the digital age. Students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while still being able to enjoy the benefits of technology by following these guidelines.
