We will be having our first child soon so these are the type of things that interest me. I want to limit phones and screens. I assume it’s easy at first but as they grow older there will be more friction as they interact more with other kids and the outside world. I know at some point they will need to know how to use them but when is the right time? Curious if anyone has any tips?
jeppebemad · 3h ago
Unless you have a zero screen policy with your kids - which I can definitely recommend - the trick is to give them incredibly small doses and being consistent with it. My son is 6 and he is perfectly happy with 30 minutes once a week when his younger brother is taking his nap.
We tell him it’s not good for him, which is why we limit it. He occasionally complaints, but most of the time he is looking forward to the 30 mins, and will close the iPad on his own when the timer ends. Consistency is key.
Second advice is to not give them authority over what to watch. No YouTube. Spend some time curating what will be acceptable. In the first few years (we started allowing it when he was 3) they will watch anything. Just stay of the dopamine stuff!
It helps that we never have the tv on when they are awake. Break your own bad habits first - but that’s general parenting advice…
Good luck to us all!
me_smith · 26m ago
Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. I had a chat with a friend with a 2 year old and he also underscores the importance of consistency. We already stay off the tv most of the time so hopefully that helps. Any recommendations for what to watch in the early years if not on YouTube? Thanks again.
mixmastamyk · 4h ago
The “need to know” part is overblown. I first used the internet around age twenty five and had zero difficulty picking it up. Also toddlers can drive tablets these days, that’s not difficult anymore either.
Screen time is your friend. Also I started teaching how computers, later internet work at age 7-10. Then teach safety and how to use tools like firefox and ublock etc.
Hold off on smartphone as long as possible, it will be a constant fight. We didn’t have any help from the school, only undermining, but looks to be changing.
me_smith · 49m ago
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Internet safety is something I need to remember to instill as we progress through all the tech that they will be interacting with.
We tell him it’s not good for him, which is why we limit it. He occasionally complaints, but most of the time he is looking forward to the 30 mins, and will close the iPad on his own when the timer ends. Consistency is key.
Second advice is to not give them authority over what to watch. No YouTube. Spend some time curating what will be acceptable. In the first few years (we started allowing it when he was 3) they will watch anything. Just stay of the dopamine stuff!
It helps that we never have the tv on when they are awake. Break your own bad habits first - but that’s general parenting advice…
Good luck to us all!
Screen time is your friend. Also I started teaching how computers, later internet work at age 7-10. Then teach safety and how to use tools like firefox and ublock etc.
Hold off on smartphone as long as possible, it will be a constant fight. We didn’t have any help from the school, only undermining, but looks to be changing.