At Kitchener Public Library we have always turned to the experts for advice we can share with parents and families, organizations like the American Academy of Pedatrics (AAP), and the Fred Rogers Center. In 2011, AAP released a statement on screen time, indicating that children up to 24 months should have NO screen time, and a maximum of two hours of screen time for children two and older. This statement was widely adopted by other agencies, and it is based on significant scientific studies; however, it was also released before iPads and tablets became staples of many homes, schools, day cares, and libraries. We have wondered if it is really fair and realistic to tell parents that no screen time should be their goal. We know it is not practical for most families. We know there are excellent digital resources we could use in toddler programs.
Well, recently AAP held the Growing Up Digital: Media Research Symposium and acknowledged the ever changing technology environment and the challenges faced by many families. From that symposium, AAP has drafted some key messages for parents, which we think are very helpful:
- Media is just another environment. Children do the same things they have always done, only virtually. Like any environment, media can have positive and negative effects.
- Parenting has not changed. The same parenting rules apply to your children’s real and virtual environments. Play with them. Set limits; kids need and expect them. Teach kindness. Be involved. Know their friends and where they are going with them.
- Role modeling is critical. Limit your own media use, and model online etiquette. Attentive parenting requires face time away from screens.
- We learn from each other. Neuroscience research shows that very young children learn best via two-way communication. “Talk time” between caregiver and child remains critical for language development. Passive video presentations do not lead to language learning in infants and young toddlers. The more media engender live interactions, the more educational value they may hold (e.g., a toddler chatting by video with a parent who is traveling). Optimal educational media opportunities begin after age 2, when media may play a role in bridging the learning achievement gap.
- Content matters. The quality of content is more important than the platform or time spent with media. Prioritize how your child spends his time rather than just setting a timer.
- Curation helps. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research validates their quality (Hirsh-Pasek KPsych Science2015;16:3-34). An interactive product requires more than “pushing and swiping” to teach. Look to organizations like Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) that review age-appropriate apps, games and programs.
- Co-engagement counts. Family participation with media facilitates social interactions and learning. Play a video game with your kids. Your perspective influences how your children understand their media experience. For infants and toddlers, co-viewing is essential.
- Playtime is important. Unstructured playtime stimulates creativity. Prioritize daily unplugged playtime, especially for the very young.
- Set limits. Tech use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Does your child’s technology use help or hinder participation in other activities?
- It’s OK for your teen to be online. Online relationships are integral to adolescent development. Social media can support identity formation. Teach your teen appropriate behaviors that apply in both the real and online worlds. Ask teens to demonstrate what they are doing online to help you understand both content and context.
- Create tech-free zones. Preserve family mealtime. Recharge devices overnight outside your child’s bedroom. These actions encourage family time, healthier eating habits and healthier sleep.
- Kids will be kids. Kids will make mistakes using media. These can be teachable moments if handled with empathy. Certain aberrations, however, such as sexting or posting self-harm images, signal a need to assess youths for other risk-taking behaviors.
From: Beyond ‘turn it off’: How to advise families on media use
Parenting is hard. There is no one solution that is right for everyone, every family needs find their own balance, but hopefully these pointers help. If you need help finding quality content, please ask us!