The screen’s the thing

When it comes to screen time, many parents are ignoring pediatricians’ recommendations, a study released Thursday by Common Sense Media found. The survey looked at media use habits among children ages 0-8 and found several alarming statistics:

Dr. Jenny Radesky wrote the policy paper that laid out the AAP’s revised screen time guidelines for children in 2016.

“While our 2016 media guidelines were designed to be more family-centered and action-oriented, the Zero to Eight findings tell us that these messages are not reaching the majority of parents, especially the families facing more stress and adversity,” Radesky wrote in a report of the survey’s key findings.

The survey had a few bright spots in its results: Children’s average screen time has stayed roughly the same since 2011 at two hours and 19 minutes per day, though time spent on mobile devices now has a much bigger piece of the pie. Also, children still overwhelmingly prefer reading books to reading on digital devices. Of the 29 minutes on average kids spend reading each day, only about three minutes is spent looking at a screen.

National anthems

Upon news of the death of The Tragically Hip’s lead singer Gord Downie this week, I spent extra time listening to the band’s music and trying to grasp what inspired such a devoted following among their mostly Canadian fans. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke down crying while reading a tribute to Downie at a news conference; it’s hard to imagine a U.S. president doing the same for an American rock star. I learned the band’s music painted intimate, close-up portraits of Canadian people, places, and events. They have songs that chronicle the struggle of Canada’s indigenous people, the conviction and exoneration of an innocent Canadian for rape and murder, Downie’s love for the country’s great plains, and of course, hockey. Taken as a whole, The Hip’s song library is a mosaic of Canadian life. The music has a folk-rock feel, and the lyrics brim over with symbolism.

After nearly 30 years of making music, the band announced last May that Downie had glioblastoma, an inoperable brain tumor, and went on a final short tour of Canada for which tickets were nearly impossible to get. In an age in which songs are written to sell records and concert tickets, it’s refreshing to learn of a band of storytellers whose songs have a greater meaning and purpose. Still, after listening to a sampling of their music, I don’t think I’ll add the songs to my playlist rotation. You sort of have to be Canadian to get it, and Downie probably would have been OK with that. —L.L.

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The judgment seat

The film industry appears to have turned solidly against Harvey Weinstein for the accusations he habitually sexually assaulted employees and actresses for decades. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences kicked him out, the Producers Guild of America plans to pull his card, the British Film Institute rescinded his fellowship, and his business partners are looking to sell the company. The moves raise questions about how professional organizations plan to address other accused perpetrators of sexual assault. (After all, Bill Cosby is a member of the Academy.) Film academy president John Bailey said in a memo to members Tuesday that the organization, “Cannot, and will not, be an inquisitorial court, but we can be a part of a larger initiative to define standards of behavior and to support the vulnerable women and men who may be at personal and career risk because of violations of ethical standards by their peers.” —L.L.

Songs for peace

A group of Syrian-American musicians kicks off a multistate tour this week to raise money and support for relief work in their war-torn homeland. The Syrian American Medical Society, a nonpartisan aid group, is sponsoring the tour, which began Thursday in Louisville, Ky., and has scheduled shows in Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. —L.L.

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