We are raising kids in the digital era. My 1 year old son’s 2nd word was “Ok Google!” (after car). So was my nephews. So thats how important technology is even for babies these days. But as parents, we must set some healthy guidelines for using technology:
Screentime Guideline for kids:
Managing screen time for kids is essential to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here’s a general guideline based on recommendations from health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
1. Age-Based Screen Time Recommendations
- Screen time limits
- Young children learn best from face-to-face interactions with caring adults. It’s best to keep their screen time to a minimum:
- For children under 2 years old, screen time is not recommended (they do not learn from it). The exception is video chatting with caring adults, such as extended family.
- For children 2 to 5 years old, limit routine or sedentary screen time to about an hour or less per day.
2. Set Screen-Free Zones and Times
- Screen-Free Zones: Bedrooms, dining tables, and during family time.
- Screen-Free Times: During meals, before bedtime, and while doing homework.
3. Prioritize Sleep and Physical Activity
- Ensure kids get adequate sleep (8–12 hours depending on age) and at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
4. Monitor and Model Usage
- Use parental controls to monitor content and limit screen time.
- Set a positive example with your own screen habits.
- Promote outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and creative activities like drawing or music.
Why should I limit my child’s screen time?
Children younger than 5 years old need active play and quality family time to develop important life skills like language, self-regulation, and creative thinking.
Screen time is often a lost opportunity for your child to learn in real time: It takes time away from interacting, playing outdoors, creating or enjoying social ‘downtime’ with family. Too much screen time also increases your young child’s risk of becoming:
- Overweight
- Sleep-deprived
- Less school-ready (e.g., early reading skills, language development, social skills)
- Inattentive, aggressive, and less able to self-soothe
- Nearsighted (when objects farther away look blurry)
How can I set screen time limits at home?
Setting limits when children are young is easier than cutting back when they’re older. As a family, agree on basic screen time rules that everyone understands and shares. Consider developing a family media plan to guide when, how and where screens can—and can’t—be used.
Here are some other tips:
- For outings, prepare each kids toy bag and keep it in the car. Use it for all travels, cafes, restaurant trips. Ideas for bag: Travel sized books, toys, stickers, coloring stuff, water pens etc.
- Be a good role model with your own screen use—on all devices.
- Turn off devices for mealtimes, when reading with your child or when doing things together as a family.
- Turn off screens when no one is using them, especially background TV.
- Avoid using screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime and keep all screens out of your child’s bedroom. They interfere with sleep.
- Choose healthy activities – like reading, outdoor play, and crafts – instead of screen time.
- Be mindful of ‘technoference’: This happens when phones and other devices get in the way of daily life. When adults spend too much time on their devices, children may behave negatively to get attention.
Won’t my child fall behind if he isn’t exposed to digital media early on?
There is no evidence to support introducing technology at an early age to improve your child’s development. Young children always learn best from face-to-face interactions with caring adults. Given the choice, they almost always choose talking, playing, or being read to over screen time.
Is it OK to use screens to calm or distract my child?
Screens might help in the moment, but if used repeatedly, over time your child won’t learn how to self-soothe without them. Use parenting strategies that can help your child develop self-soothing skills, without relying on screen time.
Talk to your child’s doctor if you need support.
My child gets upset when I take away screen time. What can I do?
In today’s world, managing screen time is an ongoing challenge. Setting shared family limits at an early age can help. In the moment, use a calm voice, acknowledge your child’s frustration, and try redirecting their interest to another activity or toy.
Consequences of Screentime for kids
Excessive or poorly managed screen time can have various consequences for children, affecting their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Physical Consequences
- Eye Strain and Vision Issues: Prolonged screen use can cause digital eye strain, dry eyes, and, in some cases, contribute to myopia (nearsightedness).
- Sleep Disruptions: Screen exposure, especially before bedtime, can interfere with melatonin production, delaying sleep onset and reducing sleep quality.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Excessive screen time often replaces physical activity, increasing the risk of obesity and related health problems.
- Posture Problems: Extended use of devices can lead to poor posture, neck strain, and back pain, sometimes referred to as “tech neck.”
2. Cognitive and Academic Impact
- Reduced Attention Span: Overexposure to fast-paced digital content may reduce the ability to focus and sustain attention in offline activities, including academics.
- Hindered Language Development: For young children, screen time can replace interactions critical for developing communication and language skills.
- Lower Academic Performance: Excessive recreational screen use can detract from study time and lead to poorer school performance.
3. Emotional and Mental Health Effects
- Anxiety and Depression: High levels of screen use, especially on social media, are associated with feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression.
- Addiction and Dependency: Overuse can create a dependency on screens for entertainment or comfort, making it difficult for children to engage in other activities.
- Reduced Coping Skills: Excessive screen use may limit opportunities for children to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress and emotions.
4. Behavioral and Social Consequences
- Impaired Social Skills: Replacing face-to-face interactions with screen-based communication can hinder the development of empathy, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Aggressive Behavior: Exposure to violent or inappropriate content can lead to increased aggression or desensitization to violence.
- Loss of Family Connection: Excessive screen time can reduce meaningful interactions with family members.
5. Developmental Delays
- Young Children: Early exposure to screens can interfere with critical developmental milestones, such as motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
- Emotional Regulation: Children relying on screens for entertainment may struggle to manage boredom or negative emotions effectively.
6. Online Risks
- Cyberbullying: Increased online presence raises the risk of experiencing or witnessing cyberbullying.
- Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Without proper supervision, children may encounter age-inappropriate or harmful content.
- Privacy Concerns: Younger children may inadvertently share personal information, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
Balancing Screen Time
While screens are part of modern life, moderation and purposeful use are key. Implementing structured schedules, encouraging active screen time (e.g., educational apps), and promoting offline activities can mitigate these consequences.
Healthy ways of using technology in Parenting
Sharing different ways I have used technology with parenting over the years. In our home, we have the rule, people before screens.
Google Assistant/Home & Hey Siri for helping us make parenting easier.
- Parenting Tools and Tracking Apps:
BabyCenter: Monitor Growth & Milestones help track your child’s developmental milestones and health-related information for every stage you are in. Has been one of my biggest supports in parenting.
1. Set healthy boundries of screentime with kids: When its my older daughters TV time, we agree to when and how long she will watch before its turned on. And then we set a timer through google Home. starts:
“Hey Google, Can you turn the TV off after 25 minutes, 30 seconds?”Hey Siri,
2. Setting up alarms: Kids from 2 onward need a lot of help with reminders/alarms as they resist change so we use google or hey siri to set alarms: Examples: Taking turns with toys. Playing or reading to kids. Bedtime, Dinner time etc.
At the playground: “Hey Siri, Can you set. analarm in 10/5 minutes”. Time to. go home.
4. Setting up audio playlists on Spotify: Storytime, audiobooks, nursery rhyme, dance party & bedtime. e.g. My daughters bedtime routine has Berenstain bears bedtime stories as her bedtime routine after we read to her.
5. YouTube Playlists: Making YouTube playlist for kids of useful information to watch with kids. e.g. I watched with Nyra: Daily Healthy habbits for kids, What happens if we eat too much sugar. Educational YouTube Channels
There are numerous YouTube channels dedicated to educating children. Channels like Super Simple Songs or StoryBots combine entertainment and learning. Always supervise their viewing and ensure safe and appropriate content.
6. Staying connected with family through video calls: Video calls via platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime allow children to maintain relationships with distant family members, providing emotional support and social interaction. Virtual Playdates: For occasions when in-person play is not possible, virtual playdates are a great way to encourage socialization while maintaining safety.
Physical Activity and Movement
- Interactive Fitness Games: Apps like Just Dance Now or GoNoodle encourage kids to get moving with dance, exercises, and fun activities.
- Virtual Fitness Classes: Platforms like Cosmic Kids Yoga offer online yoga and mindfulness classes tailored for young children.
Sleep Sounds: Use apps like White Noise or Relax Melodies to help children fall asleep with soothing sounds.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Apps
- Calming Apps: Introducing small kids to mindfulness apps such as Calm Kids or Headspace for Kids can help them develop emotional regulation skills by using calming techniques for sleep and relaxation.
3. Adding items on grocery and other lists through Google/Siri/Alexa: E.g. Hey Google, can you add bananas to my groceries list.
6. Setting up Google calendar events for important occasions like kids vaccinations and events.
- Parenting Blogs and Podcasts: Blogs and podcasts, such as The Parenting Junkie or Parenting Beyond Discipline, provide insights on handling various parenting challenges using modern tools and techniques.
Tips for Responsible Technology Use:
- Set Limits: It’s essential to set screen time boundaries and ensure technology doesn’t replace valuable face-to-face interaction and play.
- Be a Role Model: Set a good example by limiting your own screen time and engaging with your child during their tech-based activities.
- Monitor Content: Use parental controls to ensure that the content your child is exposed to is age-appropriate and safe.
Recommended cartoons for kids
- Daniel Tiger: YouTube
- Alphablocks & Numberblocks by BBC: YouTube
- Bluey: Disney Plus
- Puffin rock. Netflix
- Tumble leaf. Prime.
- Lucas the spider. YouTube
- Sofia the first
- Mira the royal detective
- Stillwater
Educational Apps and Games
Khan Academy Kids for interactive lessons
Our daughter also does English, math and arabic writing tracing practice on apps.
Read More
Screen time and young children
Digital media: Promoting healthy screen use in school-aged children and adolescents
How much screen time is too much for kids? Recommendations by age