How Many Hours Should a Teen Spend on...

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
How Many Hours Should a Teen Spend on...
2
Mon, 07-03-2006 - 11:29am

How Many Hours Should a Teen Spend on the Computer?



  • As Much as He/She Wants
  • 10 - 15
  • 5 - 9
  • 3 - 4
  • 1 - 2
  • None


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Mon, 07-03-2006 - 12:46pm
It depends on the kid and what they are doing on the computer. Some school projects require alot of time. If the child's only friends and activities revolve around the computer, this is not good but if the child has an active life and physically interacts with others, I would pretty much let them set their own times (within reason) b/c they won't have too much time to devote to computer.
Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Mon, 07-03-2006 - 7:24pm

We have 1.5 hours of 'screens time' per day during the school year, which means XBox, computer or Gameboy, when it's not relating to homework. It's never been an issue; he rarely uses it during the school year as homework or other activities usually get in the way (he knows he's not to play until work is complete; he's very self-driven in this regard; I really don't have to enforce that - it's more his rule!).

Over the summer it's been a bit more, but he's in school 5 hours/day (just got an A in Health, his first official HS class; now started PE today) but gets home around 1:30 - he gets any work done but then indulges in some XBox Live time. I'd say maybe it has gone up to 2-3 hours/day, but that's not every day (he has too many other interests).

I think we'll stick to the same 1.5 once school is back in.

Sue