3 Mindsets for Smarter Screen Time

How do we know this? I’m Dr. Carla Engelbrecht, founder of Betweened. I’ve spent 25 years creating for Sesame Street, Netflix, PBS Kids, Highlights for Children, and more. I hold a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

I’ve sat with thousands of families as they watch tv and play games over my career. I see first hand the good and the bad of screen time — a source of connection, entertainment, laughter, and information as often as it is a source of stress, anxiety, and fear. As a mom, I’ve had to navigate it myself.

3 Mindsets for Smarter Screen Time

1. Mindful Use: Encourage intentional and purposeful use of screens. This means setting clear boundaries around screen time and choosing content that adds value to your child's life. Whether it's educational, inspirational, or purely for fun, the key is to make conscious choices about what and how much they watch. This helps children develop a healthy relationship with technology and teaches them to be aware of how they spend their time.

2. Active Viewing: Engage with the content alongside your child. Ask questions, discuss plot points, and relate the content to real-life experiences. This transforms passive consumption into an interactive experience, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding. Active viewing helps children to not only enjoy but also analyze and reflect on what they see, building their analytical and comprehension skills.

3. Technology as a Tool: Shift the perspective from viewing technology as a mere pastime to recognizing it as a powerful tool for learning and creativity. This mindset empowers children to see technology as a means to achieve their goals and unlock their potential, rather than as an end in itself.