This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.
Flow and time blindness are distinct concepts, though they can both affect how people perceive and manage time. This blog will explore how both can impact screen time.
Flow
Flow is a psychological state described by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, characterised by:
Deep Engagement
Being fully immersed in an activity with a high level of concentration and enjoyment.
Distorted Sense of Time
Time may seem to pass faster or slower than usual, which is often a byproduct of being deeply engaged.
Flow is often described as being 'in the zone' and is characterised by a deep sense of enjoyment and fulfillment. Flow can be a positive experience, enhancing productivity and satisfaction in an activity, but the altered perception of time can lead to losing track of how long you've been engaged. This can have a significant impact on screen time.
Read eSafeKids Blog Reducing Screen Time: Crowd Out & Chase Flow.
Time Blindness
Time blindness refers to difficulty perceiving, estimating and/or managing time accurately. It’s not a medical diagnosis but rather a concept that reflects challenges with time-related tasks. This issue can manifest in various ways, including:
Difficulty Estimating Time
Individuals may struggle to accurately gauge how long tasks will take or how much time has passed.
Disorientation About Time Passing
There may be a sense of losing track of time, becoming engrossed in an activity and not realising hours have passed.
Difficulty Transitioning Between Tasks
Shifting from one activity to another can be challenging, often because of difficulty in recognising when it’s time to switch tasks.
Procrastination and Time Management Issues
Difficulty in starting or completing tasks within a given time frame.
Time blindness is often experienced by people with ADHD, Autism and other conditions affecting executive functioning.
Key Differences Between Flow and Time Blindness
Nature of Experience
Flow is generally a positive, engaging state that enhances focus and enjoyment, though it can lead to losing track of time.
Time Blindness is a broader challenge in managing and perceiving time, often with negative implications for daily functioning.
Context
Flow occurs during activities where one is highly engaged and finds the activity intrinsically rewarding.
Time Blindness can affect daily tasks and time management, often causing difficulties even outside of highly engaging activities.
Impact on Time Perception
Flow leads to a natural distortion of time perception due to deep involvement in the activity.
Time Blindness involves a consistent difficulty with time perception, affecting the ability to manage time effectively in various contexts.
While flow and time blindness both involve changes in time perception, they arise from different contexts and have different implications for how time is managed and experienced. Both have implications for managing screen time.
Flow, Time Blindness and Screen Time
It is possible to experience flow and time blindness simultaneously. For example gaming can induce flow, with immersive gameplay making time seem to fly by. If you have time blindness, you might find it difficult to estimate how long you’ve been playing. This can lead to prolonged and excessive screen time without realising how much time has passed.
Managing Flow, Time Blindness and Screen Time
Understanding and managing flow and time blindness involves recognising the issue and supporting children to develop strategies that help improve time awareness.
Monitor Screen Time
Use apps that monitor screen time and provide insights into how much time the child is spending on different activities. This can help maintain awareness and adjust screen time habits.
Use Timers and Set Alarms/Reminders
Use timers or alarms to help manage screen time, even if you’re experiencing flow. This can help ensure that you take breaks and maintain a healthy balance.
Incorporate Breaks
Support your child to schedule and take regular break.
A final thought
Managing 'screen time' with a 'screen-keen' child is undoubtedly a challenge, add in flow and time blindness and it can get even more tricky. By recognising the potential for both flow and time blindness to occur together, you can support your child to implement strategies to maintain a better balance and manage time more effectively.
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About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 27 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
