The issue of how much screen time is appropriate for little ones is right up there with the number of snacks between meals that are acceptable in their diets.
Some parents worry that exposing their little kids to too much screen time such as with the TV, tablet, or smartphone could be damaging, while some question any such exposure at all for kids below the age of two years. While we respect these opinions, we also happen to think that it would be better to ensure that time spent with screens doesn’t replace the time and loving attention of caregivers.
If you happen to feel confused and worried about your little one’s exposure to screen media, do take heart that so far, much of what we read and hear about screen time is bad for young kids isn’t supported by research. Still, with that said, what’s important to little ones have and will always remain the same no matter how much changes take place around them, and it’s the kind of interaction with their caregivers. It is through these interactions that babies and toddlers acquire the ability to explore their worlds, and gain exposure to language — these can’t be replaced by a screen.
As with most things, the answers to how much screen time is appropriate for little ones, or if such exposure is appropriate at all, lies somewhere in
the middle.
If you do have screen time for your little one in your mind, try the following ideas in a set limited time of say 15 or 30 minutes:
- Explore new worlds, ideas, sounds, and pictures online.
- Show kids a photo of themselves in your phone camera or computer and name parts of their faces.
- Scroll through all your pictures in your social media and name the people in them. You may also talk about them.
- Choose TV programmes with shorter segments.
- Avoid scary stuff, explosions, people yelling, and cartoon violence.
- Look for shows with positive messages, such as the value of being a good friend.
- Limit commercial exposure as much as possible for little ones to absorb those messages like a sponge, and most, if not all of these advertisements add little value to their lives.
Does video chat with a relative count as screen time?
Video-chatting with a grandparent, for instance, is a great way to build cross-generational relationships or bond with a relative who’s away. This is something older generations never had access to during their time. If you’re keeping tabs on your child’s screen-time minutes, video-chatting of this nature can be an exception, for it’s no different from talking to a family member on the phone. It’s easier for babies and toddlers since they can respond to facial expressions better than verbal language alone.
