Screen Time in the Early Years: Yes or No?

Let's be honest: we're living in the age of technology, one where you can't even leave your house without running into some sort of screen. Whether it's advertisements, TV, or even a menu at a restaurant, technology is definitely taking over. The convenience of technology, however, does not come without faults. It's known that too much screen time can have negative effects on our bodies, including problems with the eyes, back, and brain. So, how do we protect our babies from these issues while not denying them the true 2024 experience?

Screen time, including TV, really is not recommended for kids under two years old. The main reason for this is that at that age, children are still developing vital brain synapses (the connection between neurons). These connections can be disrupted by inappropriate stimuli, such as overstimulating TV shows or videos. This article explains perfectly why we should avoid screens as an entertainment source for babies, citing a long-lasting effect on their attention span. As children age and their brains develop a bit more, slowly increasing screen time is more acceptable, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends still limiting it to about two hours per day after age five.

This article by WebMD discusses a study in which the attention span of a large group of five year olds was observed over a period of time. Those who spent more than two hours a day watching TV were more than seven times more likely to have characteristics consistent with ADHD than those who watch 30 minutes or less per day.

We could go on all day about how too much TV and tablet time can negatively impact our littles. Rather than completely discouraging screens, however, let's explore ways that we can embrace this shift into Tomorrow while still protecting our kids. This article by the American Academy of Pediatrics gives great advice on how to balance screen time and family time, including creating screen-free zones and setting "one at a time" rules.

In addition to limiting the amount of time spent on devices, it's also important to educate our children on Internet etiquette. Using apps aimed towards children can limit their exposure to mature themes (for example, using YouTube Kids instead of YouTube). Be sure to check your parental controls for the devices and apps that your child uses, especially if they play games online like Roblox or Minecraft. Online games create the opportunity for children to chat with strangers, which can be a potentially dangerous situation. A good rule of thumb is that if it cannot be secured with parental controls, then it isn't made for kids (but remember that parental controls are not fool-proof, so it's best to remain vigilant and check what your kids are doing online often). Some educational and fun apps for preschoolers include ABC Mouse, Duolingo, Epic Books, and PBS Kids. These apps all encourage learning in literacy and math, and are fun and engaging for kids. They also can be set to a timer so as to not overstep screen time limits, and they don't have overstimulating features such as bright/flashing scenes.

Screen time is something that is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, so while it isn't ideal for our little ones, it also isn't always avoidable. There's no shame in having family movie night or letting your child play games on your phone during a long drive. Life is all about balance, so while technology is ever-growing, it's also important to find time to connect with nature and spend time outdoors. While we encourage the idea of connecting with our roots in terms of education, we must also acknowledge that the future is here, and we have to prepare our children to enter it.

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." - John Dewey