Example Policy Language: Screen Time

Examples and tips for writing policies to reduce screen time in afterschool programs

Goal #9: Eliminate use of commercial broadcast TV/movies.

Policy example 1:

Our program does not include commercial broadcast TV, commercial movies, or recreational computer use.

Practice Implications: This policy requires that a program refrain from providing any non-educational screen time, although educational TV and computer programs would be allowed.

Policy example 2:

Television and movies are not allowed at our program.

Practice Implications: This policy completely bans all types of television at the program. If you are banning all TV/movies, make sure staff members have access to other fun, easy-to-lead activities to replace TV time.

Goal #10: Limit recreational computer and digital device time to homework or instructional only.

Policy example 1:

Our program does not include commercial broadcast TV, commercial movies, or recreational computer use.

Practice Implications: This policy requires that a program refrain from providing any non-educational screen time, although educational TV and computer programs would be allowed.

Policy example 2:

Video/computer games are rarely used. All computer games and videos must be for educational purposes and are limited to 30 minutes or less each day.

Practice Implications: This policy requires the program to only allow games that are deemed to be educational and would require the program to monitor each child’s use to ensure that no child exceeds 30 minutes of use per day. It would also require reviewing the program schedule to ensure that computer time is never scheduled for more than 30 minutes.

Policy example 3:

Computers may only be used for homework assignments at the program. Children are only permitted to use the computer for 1 hour each day.

Practice Implications: This policy requires that the program only allow computer use for homework–no games or recreational internet use would be allowed.

Additionally, staff members would be responsible for ensuring that no child used a computer for more than 1 hour, and the program schedule would have to ensure that no child was scheduled for more than 1 hour of computer time.

Policy example 4:

For free play on the computers (e.g. playing games, using the internet), staff monitor children to ensure that no child exceeds 30 minutes.

Practice Implications: This policy allows children to use computers for non-educational purposes but requires that staff members keep an eye on children’s use to ensure that no child uses a computer for games or other recreational purposes for more than 30 minutes.

TIP: If you are only limiting recreational computer time, make sure that staff members have a clear understanding of what’s recreational and what’s educational.
Assign staff members the responsibility of keeping track of how long each child is on a computer, or arrange the schedule so that no child will be in the computer lab long enough to exceed your limit.
If you are banning computer use completely, make sure staff members have access to other fun, easy-to-lead activities to replace computer time.