How do you manage screen time for kids?

I’m working on an article about kids and screen time, and would love to hear from you sensible folks.   We already know what the experts say about how to manage screen time, but how does that play out in real families?  The more specific and honest your answers, the more helpful they will be (and the better chance your comment has of making it into the article!).

By answering these questions, you are giving me permission to quote you.  I will use your screen name unless you request some other identifier.  If you would rather email your answers to me, please send them to simchafisher@gmail.com — otherwise, please just answer in the comment box.

Thank you so much for your help!  Things will probably be even quieter around here than usual as I work on this and another project with a looming deadline.

(“Screen time” means time spent watching TV or movies, playing or watching video games, working or playing on a laptop or desktop computer, and using any mobile device with a screen, for purposes other than making a phone call.)

THE QUESTIONS:

How old are your kids?

Are you happy with the amount of time your kids spend in front of a screen?

Do you have rules for how much screen time your kids are allowed per day (or per week, etc.)?  Have you changed your policies?  If so, why?  Do you find it hard to enforce, especially as kids have access to more and more mobile devices?

What are the good effects of screen time in your family?  Educational, social, survival tactic for mom, etc.

What are the bad effects of screen time in your family?

What are your standards for content — what they actually view and do during screen time?  How do you enforce these standards (previewing movies, putting filters on the internet, etc.)  Have these standards changed over the years?

Do you struggle with your spouse over how much screen time the kids should have, or what they should watch?  Do you struggle with it yourself?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer these.  I’ll be taking this post down in a few days, so maybe you could just pop a Kipper DVD in to keep the kids busy while you write your answers RIGHT NOW.