2 weeks Ago
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent Virginia Screen-Free Week wasn’t a requirement. No individual or family was punished for doing what they usually do throughout the third week in April.
If Virginians wanted to ignore the governor’s suggestion and stare at electronic screens for most of their waking hours, that was their right. Unfortunately, those who do spend too much time staring at screens (most of us, probably) often pay the penalty in less official ways. Too much screen time can lead to a host of problems, for adults as well as teens and younger children.
The governor knew all too well that no declaration was likely to wean people away from those screens even for a few days. We have become far too dependent on them. The hope, of course, is that by raising awareness, by encouraging us to think about the problems associated with screen time, the week’s special designation might make a difference in the weeks and months to come.
If parents think more about the potential damage of too much screen time, they might try harder to monitor and limit what their children are doing. The grownups might even rein in their own addiction to those omnipresent devices, admitting that excessive screen time can also adversely affect the physical and mental health of adults — and that parents should be good role models. To his credit, Youngkin has been committed to reducing the harm done to young people by smartphones, other electronic devices and social media.
The role our phones, tablets, laptops and TVs play in our lives has expanded exponentially in recent years. To most children, digital overload is just the way life is. Maybe it doesn’t have to be.
Youngkin’s executive order directing school districts to restrict or ban cell-phone use by students during instructional time took effect this year. The legislature has since passed a law giving local officials more say in the details of cell-phone restrictions. Youngkin also has signed a bill the legislature passed requiring social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram to limit use of their apps to one hour a day by Virginia children under 16.
While nationwide action by Congress would probably be more effective, Virginia is at least recognizing a growing problem and trying to address it. There is much credible evidence about how serious the problem is. Too much sedentary screen time can contribute to obesity, heart problems, diabetes and other health risks.
The light electronic devices emit can cause sleep problems. Hunching over a screen too long leads to neck and back aches. Studies find that excessive screen time can have negative effects on mental and emotional health, even to the point of suicidal thoughts.
The danger increases when young people use social media, exposing themselves to cyber bullying and potential predators. Many children who spend too much time using electronic devices also tend to struggle academically. Adolescents — and adults — who spend most of their leisure time staring at screens are not learning what they should about the joys of nature, physical activities, turning the pages of a good book and interacting with other people.
Ultimately parents must assume a great deal of the responsibility, starting with being good role models. School policies and governmental regulations can do only so much. Sign up for Viewpoints, an opinion newsletter That reality underlies Virginia Screen-Free Week.
Families are encouraged to put those devices away, turn off the TV in the background and spend time talking, exploring or playing together. Maybe they could converse at the dinner table rather than eat in front of the TV. They could declare screen-free afternoons or evenings and see what develops.
In the longer run, the hope is that more parents will take on the tough job of establishing and enforcing rules about how much time their children spend on devices — and what they see, hear and share. If you didn’t participate in Virginia Screen-Free Week, that’s OK. It’s not too late to turn off those devices and make a positive change for yourself and your families.
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