Electronic Devices vs Communication in our Homes

During circle time in class today, I asked my 5th graders to share about how technology devices and games impact their lives at home. 

Some of the comments were:

• I use devices to call family who are a long distance away. I think on average I spend 6 hours each day on screens

• My family has too many screens at home and so we are always hooked to one or the other

• My family watches TV together.

• My family is always on electronic devices so we don’t do stuff together. 

• When my family comes together we put screens away.

• We do not spend a lot of time together. My brother only wants to play video games. He also gets aggressive when he’s had too much screen time

• I don’t spend a lot of time on screens. Usually, a 20-minute TV show is enough. My dad got obsessed with a video game and he’d stay up till midnight playing

• My brother before video games played board games with me, but he’s changed since. 

• I spend a lot of time on my iPad, Nintendo, and other devices. 

• My family does a lot of sports and so we sometimes come home too tired for screens

• My brother does not want an in-person playdate with his friend but definitely would play Roblox with him online

• My sister is always on her screen and is always grumpy afterward

• I think screens affect my life. Once you get your hands on it it’s difficult to unplug. 

• My average screen time is 20 hours a week. My dad works from home and has 5 screens around him at most times. My sister probably spends double the time I spend on screens. 

• I don’t get it when my brother would go not bowling but is happy to play bowling on a screen

• Screens have such a huge impact on my life. I spend hours and hours on animal crossing. 

• When we try talking to my dad while he’s on a screen, he usually would ask us to  go find a movie to watch