Screen? or No Screen?
Screen time for babies and young children!
This is a topic that sparks a lot of debate among parents, caregivers, and experts. It's hard to avoid screens entirely in today’s world, but the key is finding a balance.
I wanted to discuss this with you all to see what you think, whether you are a parent-to-be, a parent or grandparent, or even great grand-parent, or if you are just someone that came upon this post and want to contribute - this is your world too - so let’s hear what you think!
Today, screens are everywhere, watch, smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, tv, or cinema we see and use screen technology. But, where should we be starting (or not starting) with babies and young children?
We know that screen time can be used as:-
a learning tool ❌ or ✅
a baby minder? ❌ or ✅
a soothing influence❌ or ✅
What else do you, or will you use it for?
Let’s dive into the pros and cons with some real-life examples to make it relatable.
Pros of Screen Time
Educational Content Screens can be a great tool for learning if used wisely. Apps and shows designed for young children, like "Sesame Street" or interactive apps like Khan Academy Kids, can teach early literacy, numeracy, or even emotional skills. For example, a 2-year-old might learn to recognize shapes and colors by watching a show like Bluey but does that excite them and make them hyperactive after watching?
Engaging and Fun Screens are entertaining, which can give parents a much-needed breather. Let’s be real—sometimes, you just need 20 minutes to cook dinner or answer an important email, and letting your toddler watch the tv can make that happen.
Exposure to Language For bilingual households, screen time can expose kids to a second language. Watching cartoons in Spanish or French can help them pick up new words in a fun way. A 3-year-old who watches shows in multiple languages might surprise you with phrases they’ve learned!
Bonding Opportunity Watching a family movie or an educational video together can be a bonding experience. For instance, sitting with your pre-schooler to watch Dora the Explorer and singing along can spark fun conversations and shared laughs.
Do you agree with these?
Cons of Screen Time
Impact on Development Too much screen time can take away from essential activities like playing, exploring, and interacting face-to-face with others. A child glued to a tablet might miss out on hands-on play, like building blocks or finger painting, which are crucial for motor skills and creativity.
Sleep Disruption Screens, especially before bed, can interfere with sleep. The blue light emitted can mess with melatonin production. For example, a toddler who watches videos on an iPad at night might struggle to fall asleep, leading to crankiness the next day.
Addictive Nature Some apps and videos are designed to keep kids hooked. If you’ve ever tried to take a phone away from a screaming toddler mid-YouTube video, you know the struggle is real. This dependency can make it harder for kids to entertain themselves without screens.
Limited Attention Span Fast-paced shows can condition kids to expect constant stimulation, which might affect their ability to focus on slower activities, like reading books. A pre-schooler used to flashy cartoon edits might lose interest in a quiet puzzle or story time.
Do you agree with these?
Finding the Balance
Experts often recommend avoiding screen time entirely for kids under 18 months (except for video calls) and limiting it to an hour or less per day for children aged 2-5. Link here But let’s face it, real life doesn’t always match the guidelines! Here are some tips for balance:
Interactive Over Passive: Choose apps or shows that encourage interaction. For example, a game that asks kids to match shapes is better than mindlessly scrolling through videos.
Co-Viewing: Watch with your child when you can. Point things out, ask questions, and make it a learning moment. "Look, that’s a triangle! Can you find another triangle?"
Tech-Free Zones: Create screen-free times, like during meals or an hour before bedtime, to encourage other types of play and bonding.
Set an Example: Kids mirror what they see. If you're always on your phone, they'll want to be too. Try putting your device down when spending time together.
Choose a slower speed setting like 90%so that the sound is calmer and easier to understand, and the words are more slowly pronounced can really help with speech recognition.
Using an anti-glare anti-UV screen cover can really help protect eyes. We all think about UV sunscreen and to protect our eyes we can use sun hats and sunglasses, but we allow our eyes to look at screens that may also produce UV light. So it makes sense to check and protect.
Of course - Screen time is not inherently good or bad—it’s all about how it’s used.
A little Paw Patrol here and there probably isn’t going to hurt, but replacing free play, family interaction, or outdoor time with screens could have long-term effects. The best approach is moderation and making sure screens are just one small piece of your child’s day.
Now let’s find out what you watch and use on your screens for your baby or toddler.
Are you a fan of a program that is calming or educational? Share with us!
What are your views on screens for the younger generations?
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@MistyMagic I literally typed a whole thing just to erase it. 🤣 In short, there are pros and cons. But when a child gets addicted to it, goes out of their way to turn on the hot spot, sneaks on other people's device, walks with their head down while on the phone, gets short or easily angered when ask to do something while their on their phone or device, etc then it's a problem! If adults are addicted, then children stand no chance. I've 2 kids and they've been exposed to laptops since kindergarten in public schools. Even when they go to school, they do work on the laptop. That's not how I was bright up. Text books, paper, and pencil. I've never seen nothing like this and still, they don't even know how to type the correct way. It's no fault of their own. That's why I limit my kids and monitor what they can access. And still that's tough to do. The internet is dangerous and access to it and devices can be super addicting. As for babies and toddlers being handed a tablet with cartoons or whatever just so they can stop crying, absolutely not. It's sorting their brains! Just my two cents though.
@YourCaringConfidant
I literally typed a whole thing just to erase it. 🤣 Oh that happens too often doesn't it!
In short, there are pros and cons. Far too many!
But when a child gets addicted to it, goes out of their way to turn on the hot spot, sneaks on other people's device, walks with their head down while on the phone, gets short or easily angered when ask to do something while their on their phone or device, etc then it's a problem!
You sound like you have experience of that? I can empathise with this dilemma. I know several parents, some family, that struggle with this every day and what you are so right about - a teenager can be resourceful and have no choice in their mind but to bow to peer pressure and stick to their screen :(
If adults are addicted, then children stand no chance. Perhaps it could be easier to reason with adults if they see how screens are affecting development and changing the personality?
Do they need to target schools and kindergartens or nurseries? Many already ban screens?
I've 2 kids and they've been exposed to laptops since kindergarten in public schools. Even when they go to school, they do work on the laptop. That's not how I was bright up. Text books, paper, and pencil. I've never seen nothing like this and still, they don't even know how to type the correct way. It's no fault of their own. That's why I limit my kids and monitor what they can access. And still that's tough to do.
You sound like a great mum! I was brought up in the pre-computer age., from the point of view that computers were the size of a room and only used by big companies and industries.
What about real books, paper and covers! Nothing nicer than a new book, exciting and full of knowledge.
The internet is dangerous and access to it and devices can be super addicting. As for babies and toddlers being handed a tablet with cartoons or whatever just so they can stop crying, absolutely not. It's sorting their brains! Just my two cents though.
I am sure like me you thoroughly empathise with the mum whose baby is crying! The sound of a babe's cry goes right through me so screentime with addicting cartoons might be one way that people will go unless they are aware of how screens could affect development?
I hope we get more thoughts on this and also how to limit screen use!
Not all screen time is equivalent and the experts here have actually changed the advice of avoiding it altogether for those under 2 because they acknowledge this now.
I happily engage with a young nephew who otherwise I would only see 1-2x a year due to distance. When they are that young, video chatting is much more engaging than a phone call!
@AffyAvo Did you know that video calls are not included in the 'ban' of screens for under two's? Similarly these can actually help with facial recognition and language learning, and of course keeping in touch over distance. It is the effect of the actual screen flicker, UV,, eye focus length, and content, that is concerning in some of the apps and programs that are pushed .
And, does anyone know exactly how screen time can affect our teenies?
