Reconsidering screen time

Alan Goldberg

Outdoor play – or any form of human interaction, in the case of adults – is rather irrationally pitted against the consumption and production of all forms of digital media, says Alan Goldberg, director of education at premium Apple reseller, Digicape.

“We acknowledge the necessity of technology in the modern world, yet we blame screen time for everything; from shortening attention spans and decreasing human connections, to bad Tinder dates and even the dreaded tech neck!

Not all screen time is created equal

Goldberg believes that screen time – when considerately engaged – is a valuable thing. “It’s important to differentiate between passive consumption of media – for example, mindlessly watching a YouTube video – and active engagement such as content creation; for example, producing a video, using an iPad.”

Transformative power of technology

In the context of the classroom, two critical challenges faced by South Africans are the lack of investment in teacher training, and the disparity in aptitude amongst learners from different backgrounds; our apartheid hangover.

“Devices such as iPads can assist through facilitating an interactive and personalised learning environment; accommodating each student’s pace of learning, while bridging certain gaps in the educator’s knowledge or abilities.”iPads facilitate greater agency on behalf of the user, meaning students can seek their own solutions to problems.

“Even outside the classroom and in the context of gaming or media creation, technology is extremely adept at providing real-time feedback, making it a valuable learning tool.”

Goldberg advises that instead of placing a resolute restriction on children’s screen time, parents should rather concern themselves with the subject matter of their child’s on-screen attention, asking, ‘how are they using the device?’ and ‘will it help them to better engage with the world?’

Responsible usage

Goldberg is aware that is all too easy to inadvertently allow our screens to hold us captive, forgoing human interaction and consequently failing to learn the necessary social skills only gained through real-life interactions. “Do not equate valuable or active screen time with the time spent mindlessly scrolling through social media in search of that next dopamine fix,” he cautions.

Goldberg considers Apple to be one of the few tech players that understands its social responsibility and takes it very seriously. In 2018, its iOS 12 update revealed a new feature called Screen Time. As the name implies, the update monitors the amount of time spent on the device. More usefully, it shows where and how the time is spent.

“For example, is the bulk of time allocated to productivity tools, or is it being spent on social media?”

“It can be terrifying for many of us”, admits Goldberg, “however, awareness is the first step towards changing behaviour.”

Goldberg also notes iOS 12’s ‘Do Not Disturb at Bedtime’ feature to be a responsible step in protecting the user from distractions, allowing them to mentally disengage from their devices when needed. “More mindful screen time allows us to better tap into technology’s potential, while circumventing the more negative side effects, says Goldberg.“It’s easy to blame screen time for all the pitfalls of modern society, without taking into account that technology in itself is just a tool; the power lies in the hands of the user.“To manifest genuine value from any device – be it an iPad, iPhone or laptop – there is an expectation of self-regulation on behalf of the user or caregiver.”
via GIPHY