Children today are “digital natives”. They are born into an environment where technology is ubiquitous. Whether for communication, entertainment or education, children constantly interact with screens (television, tablet, phone, etc.). Research shows that screen time can be beneficial, especially for older children. High quality digital programming can supplement what is taught in the classroom. The recent guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) acknowledges this fact. No longer are screens banned for children under 2 years old. What do you need to consider when thinking about screen time for your children?

Here are some guidelines to help you develop media and screen time policies. The rules you put in place should be personalized for the needs of your family. There are several factors to consider including age of the children, interests, schedules and how each child is functioning in other areas of his or her life. This plan should be one that evolves as children become older and as technology change.

Consider how device usage is impacting other things your child should be doing. For example, children under 2 years old need lots of interaction with their 3-dimensional world to develop motor, cognitive, emotional and social skills. School-age children need to continue social-emotional development, which is best done in face-to-fact interactions with peers and others.
Decide when the family will not use devices and where are “device free” zones. For example, no devices during mealtime; devices not allowed in bedroom overnight; no video games on a school night.
Monitor online environment as you would the real-world environment. Know where your child is going online and who they are interacting with. Discuss privacy and safety concerns. For example, they should not share personal information. Children should also be cautioned against interacting with those they do not know in the real world.
Talk about being good citizens online, similar to what is expected offline. Children should be guided on being respectful to others online as they would be in person. Educate them about cyber bullying and help them develop a plan on how to deal with it.
Be a good role model. Children are amazing mimics. Limit your own screen time and honor “device free” zones. Encourage face-to-face communication to maintain connection with your children. It’s ok if conversations are about what they are watching on You Tube or the video games they are playing. The important thing is to keep the lines of communication open.
Set limits on screen time. Here are guidelines from the AAP. For more information you may find the full policy statement on the AAP website here.

Keeping up with your children in the digital world is certainly not an easy task. It can often feel like you are a step behind. New platforms, social media applications, games and videos are constantly being introduced AND your kids are becoming more savvy about technology. Creating a plan is a great starting point. The earlier you can establish your family media rules, the easier it will be to enforce them as your children get older.