Screen time for kiddos 📱🚨🙊

I absolutely have rules, but I’m a lot more flexible when she’s sick. We only watch Baby Signing Time for now; nothing else really holds her interest. (She’s 13 months). Especially now that the weather is nice I try to limit it to 3x/week at the very most, except in the car. She hates being stuck in her car seat so Signing Time keeps her content. Only FaceTime on my phone with family members, no games or anything although I’m sure there are some educational ones.

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*I just want to add that that’s what works for our family. Every family is different, and plenty of kids have lots of screen time and turn out fine! 😊 No judgement from me, just sharing my experience.

I must be a bad mom because my son watches TV during meal time because it’s the only way I can distract him from eating his veggies (he’s a picky eater) 🤪🙊🤦🏻‍♀️

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Gotta get the job done somehow

My son also watches every time he eats

My daughter doesn’t really like tv but will occasionally watch Sesame Street, Amazing World of Gumball or Reading Rainbow. I don’t let her use my phone unless we are on FaceTime. I try to get her to like some tv but she’d rather just eat, play, color or go outside.

We do no screen time! We listen to lots Of music and go to local classes! He’s doing quite well, and isn’t very interested in screens yet. At about 2, I plan to introduce 15 mins of tv a day and plan to Sit beside him and explain what he is seeing.

I absolutely do.

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My kids only watch about 2-3 hrs of tv on weekdays. My oldest has a phone and has to be off by 7pm, the phone stays in my room at night. I’m more flexible during weekends but yet again we’re always out on the weekends unless someone is sick

My kids don't watch any tv most days. But there are moments when eating is an issue, so we get my son to sit still with youtube. Also when he's tired. He's not into napping anymore. So he just needs some chill time occasionally where he's not getting frustrated with his toys or brother.

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How old is he?

He's 3.

My son either watches Sesame Street or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when he eats and that is it. I refuse to give him my phone or a tablet. I don’t want him to become addicted! He’s 17 months.

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Not to say I don’t have tv on in the background when he’s playing. I’ll watch my own tv shows while he plays independently.

I don't want my son to have a tablet or phone either. He's 18 months. I keep saying not until he is 18" 😂

No not really. But also my kids does sports and plays with toys and outside. We are a gamer family so we always have something in the background. My 4 year daughter has your own tablet and computer, she plays videogames everyday. My 15 month old plays toys with the TV on, usually it's playing cat in the hat... I think it's fine if they don't other things and are addicted to it. For example when I tell my daughter no more videogames and we are playing outside and she throws a fit, we take it away for a few days if when ever she breaks a rule...

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So cool we are a gamer family also.

My son is always watching TV but so am I. I'm on bed rest for pregnancy so theres not much I can do with him outside the house. He still plays with his toys, let's me read to him and irritates the cats 😂 But I do let him go outside to play while I sit there watching him (hes only 2)

I have limited time because he’s so young and I don’t want him to be stuck on a screen. I want him to be able to enjoy books or coloring etc

My baby watches some tv. She likes the Wiggles, and she likes Baby Einstein. I try my best to limit it to an hour a day, but sometimes I just don’t pay attention. 🤷‍♀️

Limit the screen time, you'll know when your kid is addicted to the screen, don't let this happen to you. Active and social play is best. We learned the hard way, excessive or regular screen time has negatively affected the way my kid's brain functions, it is devastating.

My daughter got almost no screen time until 2 years old (she just wasn’t interested), and now we try to limit it to 1 hour a day. I didn’t introduce her to the iPad until super recently, and I am pretty sure she thinks phones are just for talking to people and taking pictures. 😂 I think technology is ok in moderation... I just get really freaked out because I am a teacher am seeing an increase in kids 1-unable to play independently and 2- unable to regulate their emotions. I am not sure of the exact research behind this, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it has something to do with technology. 🤷🏻‍♀️ i have definitely seen parents give their kid an iPad to prevent them from melting down and entertain them while out and about. To each their own, but I think it is good for kids to be bored sometimes.

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I couldn’t agree more. I didn’t allow screen time until my oldest turned 2 (as recommended in my region by health authorities with research showing it isn’t beneficial to brain development before 2 and should be avoided if possible). But I agree to each their own. Parenting is super hard and screen time can provide sanity/time to prepare a meal without a monkey hanging off you, specially when doing it solo or with multiples.

They only watch movies sometimes mostly they play while I watch a movie but I have 3 boys so they love playing together over technology plus I’ve read up many articles iPads and phones aren’t very good for them

My main rule is no screen time before her nap or right before bed. Other than that, it’s on for maybe 30 minutes total - she doesn’t always sit and watch it though.

My daughter only watches tv before nap time cause that’s when I’m pumping and it’s the only thing to make her stop moving especially since I pump on the bed. Also she watches it at night we read our nooks before then she watches maybe 30min of it and then she’s out but during the day she doesn’t watch any and I try to limit my phone time as well so I read to her pretty much all day and then play with her as much as I can

So I will take the unpopular stance in that I do not set strict limits on screen time. I have 2 extremely active boys so ANY downtime I can get from them I take. I do keep a close watch over what they're watching. I also work in technology and I firmly believe this is the world they are going to be living in...they need to have some exposure to electronics. Whenever possible I intro videos around questions they've asked - how something works, interesting places and things that we cant necessarily go see in person, even things like dog training since my 5 year old has shown interest in helping to train our dogs. I don't limit if we are out to eat and I want to eat my meal...and I don't feel bad about it. Like many other things I think it can be a great tool. My boys will still almost always choose to be outside vs watching a device if they have a choice.

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Yas

This is EXACTLY my boys and our life lol

Less screen time is better. But I let my kids watch educational shows, PBS-Sesame Street, family movies. My older one does math online-It’s good for them to learn to use technology. No TV or Internet without supervision – God knows what they’re going to stumble onto when you’re not looking. I also don’t want my kid watching shows where the kids are spoiled brats and fashion obsessed airheads who are constantly trying to out-do each other with snarky comments and attitude. Thanks a lot Disney, you’ve really gone down hill.

My eldest (3 year) has an old iPhone and a tablet. Both have kids YouTube, Netflix, educational games, and books. She gets maybe gets 2hrs of screen time for the whole day since she stays home with my SIL.

Kids should not be exposed to screens until they’re 3 . This also means that care givers should limit themselves as well because you can’t expect your infant to suppress their curiosity when you, as their “idols”, are spending time on it constantly.

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Exactly everyone says it’s educational but my son was falling behind in school drastically I don’t believe it really teaches them anything like hands on does ... I took everything away and took him to the library and he learned to read he is 8 and I had tried every app there is nothing worked yes it’s good for them to learn about technology but later on because the shows and apps there is these days kill brain cells I think

I play “super simple songs” on YouTube when he’s fussy. They’re cute and educational and keep my sanity.

Youtube (Cocomelon or Wiggles) and ABC kids are the only show my daughter watches. I only let her watch TV before going to bed at night and when I'm driving (else she'll cry the whole trip) 😊

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Forever Cocomelon

I try to limit, but it is difficult. I can't drive yet (working on getting my license) and my husband isn't home until 3pm so we usually do stuff when he is home and on weekends. He watches a TV show like Daniel tiger, super why or something like that in the morning for maybe an hour. Then the rest of the time I will play music and we will play with toys or color before his nap. We don't have internet installed in our home so we are only online through our phones or mobile hot-spot if we are wanting to watch Netflix. After his nap he maybe watches a little bit, but that's usually when he is wanting to do other things and right around when his dad gets home. Maybe through out the entire day 2 hours maybe 3 if that, but he isn't always watching it. He would much rather play with his toys or "help" me clean the house. When he is watching TV it is usually educational so I don't feel guilty.

Mine aren’t limited 🤷🏾‍♀️ They realize playing outside, crafts with mommy, and wrestling/playing in the house beats watching tv/playing on tablet/playing video games any day but sometimes, I need a break or I need to actually handle things and I need them preoccupied for a bit. They always learn incognito though. ABC Mouse, PBS, every app on their tablet and any show I put in teaches them something. I think whatever works best for you and yours is the rule of thumb here.

We’re very strict about screen time. If we notice him staring at the tv when we have the news on we turn it off immediately. If he finds one of our phones we take it away immediately. Screen time is so bad for kids we’re not playing around with it

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💙

My boys have to earn screen time

I allow educational songs, games and shows while in car mostly. That along with our play time, educational toys and reading, my twin 21 month olds can count to 40, identify all letters of the alphabet and know their sounds. They know shapes, animals and number to almost 100.

Unfortunately for us, it has done a major injustice to our son. He was given too much time ( my husband and I disagree and dispute this) But I feel like our son is unable to entertain himself and lacks creativity, concentration, and patience because he expects immediate results and zero effort to have fun. I’m also struggling to get him to learn the alphabet and numbers and such... because I’m not as exciting as a video game. 😩🧐🤔

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This is EXACTLY what we notice in our classrooms!

Khan academy is so great for kids, you don’t have to worry about bad things embedded in their videos or anything. It’s like a free abc mouse, my three year old knows more about chameleons than I do. Screen time is great when used in the correct way. He watches a lot of crashbox on HBO GO which teaches him math skills, reading, spelling, counting, about famous people and other things. He is three and is extremely advanced for his age especially with language skills he “presented” me with a fake bug the other day.....

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I totally agree. Everything has a positive and negative. It’s all about how it is being utilized and what is being exposed. Children in today’s world learn so much from technology. I do think it’s all about what they are watching and doing rather than if they are exposed to TVs iPads, etc. i don’t believe that should be their entertainment all day but I don’t think it’s bad to allow them to educationally entertain their selves with technology and a young age. I am going to try your Khan Academy. Sounds interesting.

There are two Khan academy for adults which offers free courses that you would see in any college and khan academy kids which is kind of like a free ABC mouse I also just got him a leap pad for like $9 at our local thrift store and it came with like seven books and cartridges sooo good deal. And we do flash cards and work books and stuff. There are so many things that we have right in front of us now and it’s important that we show our kids how to use these things to increase their level of knowledge.

I personally don't allow my daughter any screen time. Occasionally, I might have a show on and she might glance at the television but generally if I watch TV it's after she's gone to bed. Granted she's only 16 months old.

I think we have a limited unlimited use of the phone , he doesn't have a restricted amount of time but also there are times he isn't able to have the phone, not at church, not during prayer, not at the table while eating(but after the meal/before the meal he is able to IF he wants)

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I totally agree. As parents we have the control of when things can start and end. As long as the behavior is appropriate when the device or screen is taken away (not showing addictive behaviors or tantrums) I do t see an issue with allowing children to watch age appropriate and educational material.

My son isn’t limited only because we always monitor or choose strict apps like pbs kids Disney and nick jr and every show is bright in color and teaches about sharing, being nice, colors, spelling, numbers etc

I don’t limit the screen time but I limit the content to educational and/or age appropriate. My 2 year old learned ABC and counting 1-10 from YouTube sooooo I’m okay with that. He also learned about dinosaur but unfortunately head butting so I watch out on that.

I teach middle schoolers and it is almost immediately obvious based on the way they interact with peers and adults if a student has had unlimited screen time for much of their life or if it was very limited. Spoiler alert: the students with limited screen time even in middle school have longer attention spans, generally perform better academically and socially. I hadn't given screen time for my own children much thought until I started teaching.

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That's awesome! Your life and family sound amazing! I watched a lot of TV growing up (coming from a poor family there wasn't much else to do), too and partially attribute my vocabulary and ability to fit in with different people to this. I agree that it is not always bad (thanks for pointing that out!) but I do think there is a big difference between the TV we would have been exposed to growing up and the different types of screens kids are exposed to with little to no supervision. I will absolutely let my kids watch educational tv when they get to a certain age but feel wary about the others.

It’s been a challenge between my husband and I because he doesn’t see it as bad. I work as a therapist with kids and see the pitfalls every day. My approach thus far is to lead by example and use gentle reminders. Our son is 5 mo old so I’ve been very consistent because he doesn’t have any reason to use it for technology at this age.

I think screen time only has the value you give it. If I act like screen time is something to be held and kept by me only- only I get to look at my phone, read books on iPad, and watch TV- then my kid is going to want that a ton. But I let my two year old watch educational shows and play on the iPad anytime we are in the car for a long time or in the morning during breakfast while my husband and I are getting ready. She plays, she pretends, she’s still creative. She prefers playing with other children over playing with the iPad. Our parents got sat in front of the tv for Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street. In 20 years our world will consist mostly of screens and robots probably so...??

Scientifically it's proven to be as addictive as drugs, gambling, or alcohol only with no age limit. I hate myself for allowing screen time as much as I do. But I want to get rid of my phone and screens altogether. I see the damage every day. Even the American Pediatrics people have health guidelines of no screens before a certain age. It's a silent killer of happiness and health.

My son has his phone at weekends where he has kids tube and gets to play games on there. He gets an hour most of the time. He's 9. He has some TV during the school days in the morning and then in the evening. My daughter whose 2 has learnt Alot from duggae and pepper pig shows. She also has time on kids tube. I am able to control the timer and there's a password. I make sure there's breaks and will put music on instead. Will especially be doing this for summer holidays.

We do not limit. Our children are outgoing, they love playing with their toys and going outside, as well as watching some great shows and movies during the day. I think it only is a problem if you ONLY do screentime and no play otherwise. But we will have the tv going all day while we are in the house.

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They are also very smart and ahead of their age groups.

No strict rules. I try to limit. If she watches something in the morning, she can't watch anything else until I start making dinner. Unless it's one of those days where I'm losing my sanity. Haha

My kids are only 2 & 8 months but don't get use of our phones or tablrt/laptop at all. Only TV at lunch time and dinner is when we eat and watch mummies soaps 🤣 means that our toddler is bored and eats his dinner lol

I dont mind the television being on, my son ignores it if its not Sesame Street or animated. I dont ever let him play with my ipad or phone.

My husband and his parents are all about having the tv always on and having my daughter watching it ( she is almost 3 months old. :( its so frustrating, she is actually fixated on it.

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Same. My in-laws are tv-obsessed, so I know it's always on when they're babysitting.

Can y’all please recommend some good solid education shows and the subscription that carries it?

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5 months please

For what age?

I don’t allow my children screen time I don’t think they should be allowed a device until they need one for calls like in middle school when they go to sports practice or over at a family or friends house only screen time my kids get is the tv occasionally (little baby bum) otherwise they ignore the tv plus I think with my toddler if he has screen time he acts out and it doesn’t benefit him .

Well my 2 oldest kids go to school so when they are done with homework and eating dinner I allow them to play and watch til they get bored and I see they do fine and listen to everything I say and I just put parental control so I know they are watching kids toys

My son is two and a half. I let him watch TV in the morning while we get ready for work and school for about half an hour. I let him watch TV when we get home for about another half an hour while I prepare dinner. After dinner there is no TV he can only play with this toys or I can read them books or we can sing or whatever I just don't want him on a screen before bedtime. I don't like him grabbing my phone and looking at videos that close to his face so that's something I don't do and he doesn't necessarily ask me for my phone cuz he knows it's not for him.

My older children are 11, 9, 8, &4 we make them earn their play time on electronics because if not they fight big time over it... we start off with 30 minutes and go from there. Watching TV and movies are a little different but I dont want them thinking that's what they need to have fun when they're just kids and could be outside playing or something.

my daughter is two and she's got her own iPad and I try to limit her screen time to like an hour an hour and a half Max during the day but I'm a stay-at-home mom and that is the only break I get she constantly tries to hurt my little one so if I try to do anything else like seriously go pee I hear my little one who's one screaming in the next room because she wants to push her down