Parents can enhance their children’s screen-time value by choosing high-quality media – that is, content with educational benefit. PBS Kids has many popular shows, from “Nature Cat” to “Sid the Science Kid,” that would qualify as educational. Two other elements contribute to the quality of screen time. First, screen content should be age-appropriate – that is, parents should choose shows, apps and games that are specifically designed for young children. Using a resource such as Common Sense Media allows parents to check recommended ages for television shows, movies and apps. Second, parents can look for shows that use evidence-based educational techniques, such as participatory cues. That’s when characters in shows break the “fourth wall” by directly talking to their young audience to prompt reflection, action or response. Research shows that children learn new words better when a show has participatory cues – perhaps because it encourages active engagement rather than passive viewing. Many classic, high-quality television shows for young children feature participatory cues, including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Go Diego Go!” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
Point out basic concepts, such as letters and colors.
Model more advanced language using a “think aloud” approach, such as, “That surprised me! I wonder what will happen next?”
No. 3: Connect what’s on screen to real life
Learning from media is challenging for young children because their brains struggle to transfer information and ideas from screens to the real world. Children learn more from screen media, research shows, when the content connects to their real-life experiences. To maximize the benefits of screen time, parents can help children connect what they are viewing with experiences they’ve had. For example, while watching content together, a parent might say, “They’re going to the zoo. Do you remember what we saw when we went to the zoo?” This approach promotes language development and cognitive skills, including attention and memory. Children learn better with repeated exposure to words, so selecting media that relates to a child’s real-life experiences can help reinforce new vocabulary.
No. 4: Enjoy screen-free times
Ensuring that a child’s day is filled with varied experiences, including periods that don’t involve screens, increases language exposure in children’s daily routines. Two ideal screen-free times are mealtimes and bedtime. Mealtimes present opportunities for back-and-forth conversation with children, exposing them to a lot of language. Additionally, bedtime should be screen-free, as using screens near bedtime or having a TV in children’s bedrooms disrupts sleep. Alternatively, devoting bedtime to reading children’s books accomplishes the dual goals of helping children wind down and creating a language-rich routine. Having additional screen-free, one-on-one, parent-child play for at least 10 minutes at some other point in the day is good for young children. Parents can maximize the benefits of one-on-one play by letting their children decide what and how to play.Even in small doses, parent-child playtime is important.Vera Livchak/Moment via Getty Images A parent’s role here is to follow their child’s lead, play along, give their child their full attention – so no phones for mom or dad, either – and provide language enrichment. They can do this by labeling toys, pointing out shapes, colors and sizes. It can also be done by describing activities – “You’re rolling the car across the floor” – and responding when their child speaks. Parent-child playtime is also a great opportunity to extend interests from screen time. Including toys of your child’s favorite characters from the shows or movies they love in playtime transforms that enjoyment from screen time into learning.Erika Squires, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University and Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Assistant Professor of Child and Family Development, Wayne State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Millions of Americans face challenges due to low vision, a condition that is not an inevitable part of aging. February’s Low Vision Awareness Month highlights the importance of eye exams and awareness. Effective management strategies include environmental modifications, assistive devices, and vision rehabilitation services to improve daily living and maintain independence.
(Family Features) Millions of Americans are living with low vision, a visual impairment that can turn everyday moments – recognizing a friend’s face across the street, reading a recipe or checking a text message – into unexpected challenges.
Low vision isn’t a natural part of getting older, though the conditions that cause it do become more common with age.
Whether low vision is affecting you or a loved one, Low Vision Awareness Month is a perfect time to have your eyes examined for signs of eye diseases and to take steps to make daily life easier if you are experiencing low vision.
Consider this information from the National Eye Institute to make the most of your vision and improve your quality of life.
Understanding low vision You may have low vision if you can’t see well enough to read, drive, recognize faces, distinguish colors or see screens clearly.
Many different eye conditions can cause low vision, but the most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes.
The most common types of low vision are:
Central vision loss (not being able to see things in the center of your vision)
Peripheral vision loss (not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes)
Night blindness (not being able to see in low light)
Blurry or hazy vision
Diagnosing low vision Your doctor can check for low vision as part of a simple, painless comprehensive dilated eye exam. He or she will ask you to read letters that are up close and far away and will check whether you can see things in the center and at the edges of your vision.
Then eye drops are used to widen your pupils and check for other eye problems – including conditions that could cause low vision.
Low vision is usually permanent, but glasses, medicine or surgery may help with daily activities or slow progression.
Living with low vision If you have low vision, you aren’t alone. There are steps you can take to make life easier.
For minor vision loss, simple adjustments like using brighter lights, wearing anti-glare sunglasses and using magnifiers can help. Changing the settings on your phone and computer to increase contrast, make text larger or have the device read out loud may also help.
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If your vision loss is getting in the way of everyday activities, ask your eye doctor about vision rehabilitation. These services can give you skills and resources to help manage your daily life and keep your independence. Examples include:
Employment and job training
Environmental modifications, like improving lighting and contrast
Assistive devices and technologies, like magnifiers, filters and screen readers
Adaptive strategies for daily living and independent living skills training
Emotional support, like counseling or support groups
Transportation and household services
Finding the right vision rehabilitation services and support may take time, but working closely with your eye doctor or care team is an important first step. Discuss your needs and goals for living with your visual impairment so they can help identify the best services for you.
For additional resources and information on vision rehabilitation, visit nei.nih.gov/VisionRehab.
How to avoid seeing disturbing video on social media and protect your peace of mind
When graphic videos like those of the recent shooting of a protester by federal agents in Minneapolis go viral, it can feel impossible to protect yourself from seeing things you did not consent to see. But there are steps you can take.
Social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, not protect your peace of mind. The major platforms have also reduced their content moderation efforts over the past year or so. That means upsetting content can reach you even when you never chose to watch it.
You do not have to watch every piece of content that crosses your screen, however. Protecting your own mental state is not avoidance or denial. As a researcher who studies ways to counteract the negative effects of social media on mental health and well-being, I believe it’s a way of safeguarding the bandwidth you need to stay engaged, compassionate and effective.
Why this matters
Research shows that repeated exposure to violent or disturbing media can increase stress, heighten anxiety and contribute to feelings of helplessness. These effects are not just short-term. Over time, they erode the emotional resources you rely on to care for yourself and others.
Protecting your attention is a form of care. Liberating your attention from harmful content is not withdrawal. It is reclaiming your most powerful creative force: your consciousness.
Just as with food, not everything on the table is meant to be eaten. You wouldn’t eat something spoiled or toxic simply because it was served to you. In the same way, not every piece of media laid out in your feed deserves your attention. Choosing what to consume is a matter of health.
And while you can choose what you keep in your own kitchen cabinets, you often have less control over what shows up in your feeds. That is why it helps to take intentional steps to filter, block and set boundaries.
Practical steps you can take
Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos. Here are four that I recommend:
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Turn off autoplay or limit sensitive content. Note that these settings can vary depending on device, operating system and app version, and can change.
Use keyword filters. Most platforms allow you to mute or block specific words, phrases or hashtags. This reduces the chance that graphic or violent content slips into your feed.
Curate your feed. Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images. Follow accounts that bring you knowledge, connection or joy instead.
Set boundaries. Reserve phone-free time during meals or before bed. Research shows that intentional breaks reduce stress and improve well-being.
Where to turn off autoplay in your account on Facebook’s website. Screen capture by The Conversation, CC BY-ND
Reclaim your agency
Social media is not neutral. Its algorithms are engineered to hold your attention, even when that means amplifying harmful or sensational material. Watching passively only serves the interests of the social media companies. Choosing to protect your attention is a way to reclaim your agency.
The urge to follow along in real time can be strong, especially during crises. But choosing not to watch every disturbing image is not neglect; it is self-preservation. Looking away protects your ability to act with purpose. When your attention is hijacked, your energy goes into shock and outrage. When your attention is steady, you can choose where to invest it.
You are not powerless. Every boundary you set – whether it is turning off autoplay, filtering content or curating your feed – is a way of taking control over what enters your mind. These actions are the foundation for being able to connect with others, help people and work for meaningful change.
More resources
I’m the executive director of the Post-Internet Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate the psychological and social challenges of life online. With my team, I designed the evidence-backedPRISM intervention to help people manage their social media use.
Our research-based program emphasizes agency, intention and values alignment as the keys to developing healthier patterns of media consumption. You can try the PRISM process for yourself with an online class I launched through Coursera in October 2025. You can find the course, Values Aligned Media Consumption, on Coursera. The course is aimed at anyone 18 and over, and the videos are free to watch.
This story was updated on Jan. 25, 2026 to include reference to the recent shooting in Minneapolis.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Numbers to Know in 2026
The American Heart Association’s 2026 update reveals a decrease in deaths from heart disease and stroke, despite rising rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Following their Life’s Essential 8 guidelines can prevent 40% of cardiovascular deaths, emphasizing the importance of healthier lifestyles for improved heart health.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Numbers to Know in 2026
(Family Features) Taking care of your heart with healthy behaviors may be at the top of your wellness priority list already, and there may be good news about the effects of adhering to expert recommendations.
New information from the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics Update shows deaths from heart disease and stroke are on the decline. However, rates continue to climb for high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity – all of which are health risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Following expert guidance can be your prescription for better health as 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable.
To help maintain and improve your cardiovascular health, consider following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which is a set of four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco and get healthy sleep) and four health factors (manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar and manage blood pressure).
In the United States, optimal Life’s Essential 8 scores could prevent up to 40% of annual all-cause and cardiovascular disease deaths among adults.
Consider these highlights from the statistics update:
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. and stroke is the No. 4 leading cause of death.
Together, heart disease and stroke accounted for more than a quarter of all deaths in the U.S. in 2023.
Cardiovascular diseases, including all types of heart disease and stroke, claim more lives in the U.S. each year than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths — the Nos. 2 and 3 causes of death – combined.
On average, every 34 seconds, someone died of cardiovascular disease in 2023.
On average, about two people died of heart disease every 3 minutes in the U.S. in 2023.
On average in 2023, someone died of stroke every 3 minutes, 14 seconds in the U.S.
Nearly half of U.S. adults now have high blood pressure.
Nearly 29.5 million U.S. adults have diagnosed diabetes.
About 50% of U.S. adults have obesity or severe obesity, and 28.1% of youth ages 2-19 have obesity.
Only 1 in 4 U.S. adults meets national physical activity guidelines. Only 1 in 5 U.S. youths ages 6-17 are physically active for 60 minutes or more every day of the week.
To learn more about how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, visit heart.org.
Erika Squires, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University and Lucy (Kathleen) McGoron, Assistant Professor of Child and Family Development, Wayne State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
