There is no simple answer to whether or not children should be allowed to use technology, instead, I try to use a series of guiding principles when I am making decisions – both in the moment, and when deciding whether to buy/select a particular technology, app or show.
Here they are:
- Co-viewing. We’ve known since research on Sesame Street in the 1980s, that for little kids the value in educational television is in the interaction around what’s happening on the screen, not solely in the material itself, so we try to hang out and reinforce the learning that is intended from the TV shows.
Check out the report from Sesame Workshop on co-veiwing and Joint Media Engagment
And perhaps of even greater importance, is co-viewing as kids get older. My husband takes the lead on this with my step-kids and spends way more time than I can stand watching YouTube with them and talking about what they see (and yes, pre-watching some of the new videos to check on content). They can’t watch everything they want to see on their own devices, but they can on his account on our TV. It’s not thrilling, but it is very important.
- Creation not consumption. This one is long established in research – technology is more valuable when we use it to create (make movies, program robots, draw pictures etc.) than when we use it to consume (watch, read). Yes, there is a lot of consumption in our house, but I’m more likely to let screen time continue if the kids are working on a minecraft project than watching YouTube videos.
- What activity is screen time replacing? This is important and helps me make decisions when we are all tired and not necessarily able to participate in co-viewing. Research is pretty clear that passive screen time is problematic when it takes away from social interaction, physical activity, outdoor time etc. However, sometimes screentime is just replacing Mama tripping over you in the kitchen… so it all comes down to balance and what else has been happening that day.
- Is it educational? Does it need to be? This goes closely with the previous one. Sometimes I think it’s ok for our kids to just relax and enjoy media. My little one went through a stage of loving trains. Is the Toca Boca train app education? Mostly no. Does she enjoy it? Yes. Sometimes that is enough.
