Today's advances in technology can help us a lot in our daily lives, but we need to be aware that the minds of young children are easily influenced by their exposure to digital media, including television, mobile devices, and video games.
There has been a lot of research that digital programs have educational benefits, but excessive use can affect their social and emotional development.
Here are some important recommendations for families with young kids less than 5 years of age (which is a time of critical brain development):
1. Avoid digital media use in kids younger than 18-24 months of age (except video-chatting with distant relatives).
2. If you want to introduce digital media to kids 18-24 months of age, choose high-quality apps (such as Sesame Workshop, PBS) and use media together with your child. Letting kids use media by themselves at this age should be avoided.
3. For kids 2-5 years of age, limit screen time to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, and help them understand what they are seeing, and help them apply what they learn to the world around them. Recommended apps are Encantos, Khan Academy Kids, Busy Shapes, etc.
4. Avoid fast-paced shows (such as Power Rangers), apps with lots of distractions, and any violent content.
5. Turn off television and other devices when not in use. There should be no screen time during meals and 1 hour before bedtime.
6. Monitor children's media content and what apps are used or downloaded. Test apps before the child uses them, play together, and ask the child what he or she thinks about the app.
7. Consult the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Use Plan, available at www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan.
8. Visit the website CommonSenseMedia.org to find recommended apps, website, movies, books, podcasts
Please call or visit us at Kids Kare Pediatrics in Cookeville, TN or at Woodbine Pediatrics, Nashville, TN to get more information about things you can do to make your child healthier, happier, and smarter.
