The screen time debate has intensified as devices become more central to children's lives. Between remote learning, educational apps, and entertainment, screens are everywhere. How do we find balance?
Active vs. Passive Screen Time
Recent research suggests that what children do on screens matters more than how long they spend. An hour of creative coding is fundamentally different from an hour of passive video consumption.
- Active Time: Creating games or animations, video calling with relatives, interactive educational content.
- Passive Time: Watching videos without interaction, endless scrolling, playing repetitive games with no learning component.
Practical Strategies
- Tech-Free Zones: Create boundaries (e.g., dining room, bedrooms) where screens are not allowed.
- Model Behavior: Children mimic what they see. If you are constantly on your phone, they will be too.
- Emphasize Creation: Encourage children to use devices to create, not just consume.
- Maintain Other Activities: Ensure screen time doesn't displace sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face interaction.
The Codzilla Perspective
We teach coding, so we believe in the value of technology. But we also believe in balance. Our classes are designed to be productive, creative screen time that builds real skills.
A child who spends an hour building a game is developing skills, exercising creativity, and learning persistence. That is screen time well spent.
The goal isn't to eliminate screens but to use them intentionally.
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