Parenting in the digital age comes with a whole new set of dilemmas—one of the biggest being screen time.
Handing a toddler a tablet can feel like a lifesaver on a busy day, but at what age is it actually okay to introduce screens? Experts have plenty to say, but the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Finding the right balance between technology and real-world play is the key, and it turns out, that how kids use screens matters just as much as when they start. The Intercare Leaders in Health publication claims that excessive screen time can negatively affect physical, mental, and social development.
Experts suggest setting appropriate limits and encouraging healthier alternatives for children. The above states that for children under 18 months, avoid screen time except for video chatting. “For children aged 18 to 24 months. If parents choose to introduce digital media, they should select high-quality programming and watch it together with their children. For children aged 2 to 5 years. Limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming.”
The World Health Organization advises that school-going children should limit recreational screen time, with two to four-year-olds allowed one hour per day, and that children under two should have no screen time.
Overuse of screen time according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, can lead to various issues, such as exposure to violence, risk-taking behaviours, sexual content, negative stereotypes, substance use, cyberbullying, and misleading information. To manage screen time, families are advised to learn about parental controls and avoid using screens as pacifiers or babysitters.
Parents are also advised to familiarise themselves with age-appropriate programming, talk to their children about what they see, be aware of advertising, encourage learning other activities, set a good example, teach children about online privacy and safety, and encourage screen use that builds creativity and connection.
Also see: Concerned about your child’s repetitive behaviour? Understanding stimming
