Kiddie Academy Discusses Children and Technology

February 26 - 2010

iPhones, Macbooks, Video Games, Oh My!
Tips to Curb Technology Use in Children Sooner than Later

There is no denying it – technology is here, and it isn’t going anywhere. A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that children ages 8 to 18 spend more than seven hours per day using smart phones, computers, TVs and other sorts of devices.

This is a scary statistic, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children older than two have no more than two hours per day of screen time, exposure to all forms of technology that use screens. It is now more important than ever that parents temper their children’s use of technology and instill good habits at as early an age as possible

“Today, our children have adapted naturally to using hand-held games in the car, playing with fun “Apps” on a phone or even watching a video at home that is educational,” said Laura Olson, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, a national child care and education franchisor. “While the two-hour goal of daily screen time might seem difficult to meet, parents need to strive to keep that human connection with their children and stimulate their brains in other ways. The best way to do this is to start early before there are any habits to break.”

To help curb children’s screen time at an early age, Olson recommends that parents utilize the Four M’s:

• Monitoring – Parents should monitor their child’s time and activities on the computer. Become familiar and interact with Web sites before recommending them for your child, so you know if it is appropriate for their age and interests.  Talk with your child about the purpose of what he wants to watch on TV or what she is looking to do on the computer. It is fine if the response is “Just for fun,” but by talking about the reasons, you will help your child become more mindful of their screen time.

• Moderation – As the saying goes, all good things, including screen time, should be done in moderation. If your child was watching TV before you go out to a restaurant, resist the urge to hand him his favorite game during the wait. Two hours per day can go quickly, so you want to use it wisely and to your child’s best interests rather than for our wishes to keep her busy or quiet.

• Model good practices – If you want your child to turn off the TV while you sit on the couch with your laptop, or if you regularly pull out your phone at the dinner table, you are sending mixed messages. We are often so caught up with our own technology use that we forget to model the best behavior ourselves. Try turning your phone off or making a point to close up computers at the same time. Show your child the appropriate ways to grow without constant technology. It can help you disengage and relax, too!

• Maintain a balance – Technology has certainly become part of our daily routine. The important tip to remember is to fit it into the routine, rather than letting it become the routine. Be sure you spend just as much, if not more, time interacting with your children, walking outside, riding bikes, cooking meals together or even playing brain games in the car, than you do on screen time. Maintaining a connection is central to your child’s personal and developmental growth, and it will help you bond and learn to enjoy things together.

Back To List