Understanding the 5 C's of Media Use
In today's digital age, media use has become rampant. With the rapid advancement of technology, parents and caregivers are often left grappling with how to manage and monitor their children's media use effectively. To address this challenge, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed the "5 C's of Media Use," providing a framework to guide families in making informed decisions about media consumption.
- Child: When thinking about media use, it is important to consider your individual child, and how media might affect them. Children interact with media in different ways, and may respond to media use differently. Take into account their reasons for wanting to engage with media, as well as the risks/benefits of your child using different types of media when setting boundaries for your children.
- Content: Not all content is created equal, and some may not be beneficial to your child. Consider whether the content your child is ingesting is worth their attention, and what effect it has on their emotions and behavior. When discussing content, help them think about the effects of too much violence, rude role-modeling, unrealistic beauty standards, among other topics that may not align with your family values.
- Calm: Media can affect how our children learn to manage their emotions or fall asleep at night. Encourage them to learn coping skills outside of media use. Snuggling, going for a walk, drawing, or reading a book are examples of ways to help your children calm their brains without needing to reach for technology.
- Crowding out: When evaluating how much time your child is spending on the internet, consider if it is crowding out other activities. Digital media tends to draw kids (and adults!) in, resulting in more time spent online than desired. Be intentional in considering other activities that you and your family can participate in outside of media use. Examples include playing outdoors, participating in hobbies, or spending quality time as a family.
- Communication: Talk to your family about digital media use in a non-judgmental way. Ask questions. Open communication can help you know when your children and teens are struggling.
