We live a tech savvy world and our children are being brought up as digital natives with access to technology in unprecedented ways. The short-term impact of excessive technology use seems clear, but we still don’t know the long-term implications. Nonetheless, technology and the digital world are here to stay and we need to understand how to navigate this world to the best of our abilities.
Established organizations like the American Pediatrics Association and the American Association on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have offered time limit guidelines, a great starting point. However, “caregivers should also understand and apply various aspects of healthy tech use: time management, age-appropriate content, account types, access methods, online safety, tools for safety, digital respect, and the impact on the brain,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Engaging in ongoing conversations with children on these topics is essential.”
EMPATHY & ELECTRONICS in Pre-K
For children within this age group, the American Association on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends limiting screen time to no more than one hour on weekdays and up to three hours on weekends. To ensure age-appropriate and quality content, parents and caregivers should check published age restrictions for programming.
Engage with your kids during screen time to discuss the content they are watching or interacting with. Implement parental controls on devices to prevent exposure to harmful content. Have conversations with children about what to do if they encounter unsuitable content
