Facebook. Playstation. Wii games. Xbox. Cell phones, iPods, iPads and Barney.

Whatever happened to reading Little House on the Prairie and playing catch in the backyard?

Kids’ lives are being consumed by an ever-increasing flood of electronic gadgets, as evidenced by a 2010 study published by the Kaiser Foundation. According to that report (available online at www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfm), kids ages 8 to 18 now average eight hours of media time every day.

It’s no wonder that parents feel overwhelmed when it comes to the benefits and pitfalls of media exposure.

Are there any real benefits to children using electronic gadgets?

An iPad is a lifesaver when taking small kids on long airplane rides. Electronic devices are also useful for education, communication and computer literacy.

It has been found, for instance, that iPads are invaluable for kids with learning disabilities. Skype, FaceTime, email and texting keep college-age kids and their parents connected. Computer literacy is simply part and parcel of today’s world.

Then what’s the problem?

If children are watching TV, listening to their MP3 players or are on the computer, they are probably not physically active.

For many kids, screen time takes the place of physical play. It can also inhibit smaller children’s ability to participate in imaginative and interactive play.

While the Internet offers easy access to education material, it also can expose kids to inappropriate material such as pornography, online predators posing as kids and cyber bullying.

How much media exposure is too much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to two hours or less every day.

How should parents set limits?

Make sure you know what your kids are doing online. Children need supervision of their online experience because they often lack the judgment to filter out inappropriate or erroneous material.

The best way to control your child’s time online is by:

• Scheduling media time;
• Enforcing the screen-time limit;
• Keeping all media out of your children’s bedrooms.

Adults get repetitive strain injuries from overusing computers and electronic devices. What about kids?

Yes, children are also susceptible. If your child is using a desktop computer, make sure the screen is placed at or slightly below eye level, so your child’s head is level with the eyes looking slightly down.

The keyboard and mouse should be positioned so he or she can type without strain to wrists, elbows or shoulders. An adjustable chair to ensure a comfortable, supported position is also important.

Laptops, present an ergonomic challenge since they are not adjustable like desktop computers. If your child uses one for long periods of time, consider adding an external keyboard and monitor for avoiding injury.

Keep in mind that frequent texting and gaming both require continuous repetitive movements, which are just as likely to cause discomfort and pain as typing on the computer.

What’s the best way for my child to avoid this type of overuse injury?

Limiting screen time is the best way to ensure your child stays clear of a repetitive strain injury. Here are a couple of important tips to keep in mind to avoid aches and pains:

Encourage your kids to take regular breaks from computer or video games or texting with their friends. Make sure it’s the kind of break that doesn’t just switch from one kind of screen or device to another.

• Encourage your child to do something active.
• Provide your son or daughter with an adjustable chair or adjust his or her seating position with pillows for good body positioning when using the computer.
• Short texts are best to limit the strain on hands and arms. Encourage your young correspondent to hold the device in one hand and use a finger on the other hand to type, rather than his or her two thumbs.
• Remember that nothing takes the place of a good face-to-face conversation in helping with children’s social development. Encourage technology-free play dates whenever possible.

James Ferrara, M.D., is a board-certified pediatrician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s pediatric office in San Mateo (formerly Bay Area Pediatrics). Advice is not intended to take the place of an exam or diagnosis by a physician.