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For families with infants and toddlers, this past Christmas may have included dolls, building blocks, and even – reflective of the times – toy smart phones. With the widespread popularity of smart phones and other devices that enhance our daily communication, it's no wonder that kids are also interacting with these technologies at younger and younger ages.
You might know that for a long time, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggested that children under 2 years of age should not be exposed to any digital devices (no “screen time”) [1]. As a reflection of the greater integration of technology in our lives today, AAP recently reviewed and updated their guidelines.
Take a look and see what they are suggesting for children at each developmental stage.
Let us know what you think: Are the guidelines helpful? Unrealistic? Somewhere in between? How have you tried to manage your children’s use of devices, if at all? Read and share!
Learn more about our research at Center for Innovative Public Health Research.
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Acknowledgments: Thank you to Emilie Chen for her contributions to this blog.
References:
[1] American Academy Of Pediatrics Lifts 'No Screens Under 2' Rule. 2016; http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/21/498550475/american-academy-of….
[2] No Snapchat in the Bedroom? An Online Tool to Manage Kids’ Media Use; http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/10/21/498706789/no-snapch….
[3] New screen time rules for kids, by doctors; http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/21/health/screen-time-media-rules-children-a….
[4] Create Your Family Media Plan; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed
[5] Media and Children Communication Toolkit; https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/pa…
