Two theories explain the risks
of excessive recreational screen
time: the content theory and the
displacement theory.

The content theory – that
what the children are watching
or doing online is problematic
– has received disproportionate
attention. Most solutions that
caregivers are familiar with,
including co-viewing and being
a media mentor, are designed to
address the content.

The displacement theory, on
the other hand, explains that
time spent online means not
doing other things, and that it’s
the loss of those other activities,
such as outdoor play or reading,
that may result in problems
paying attention or gaining too
much weight.

This also gives caregivers, and
those who work with caregivers,
the opportunity to focus on a
positive goal: increasing time
spent in those activities, which
may lead to less time online and
better childhood health.

Avoidance versus
approach goals
Focusing on a positive goal may
work better than avoidance
goals, such as staying away from
sugary foods or cutting down
on screen time. That’s because
avoidance goals are typically
associated with poor mood and
reduced goal persistence. They
COMING IN
MAY rely on self-control, which can
weaken over time.

As a result, parents and
caregivers typically struggle with
screen avoidance goals and report
a great deal of arguments about
screen limits.

In contrast, approach goals
encourage a desired activity or
outcome and they are associated
with good mood, greater
effectiveness and more goal
persistence. Research on dieting and
obesity demonstrates the
effectiveness of approach over
avoidance goals. For instance,
in one study, families with one
obese parent were assigned to
either an avoidance diet plan
that encouraged them to cut
high-fat and high-sugar foods
or an approach diet plan that
encouraged them to eat more
fruits and vegetables. After a
year, families on the approach
plan had lost more weight. In
the process, they also reduced
their intake of high-fat, high-
sugar foods, which were edged
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Displaced activities