While a decade ago it was unheard of to buy your child a mobile phone, these days even toddlers seem to own their own tablet devices. With new, “child-friendly” tablets on sale in the electronics aisle, it’s not surprising that both young people and their parents would be confused about when the appropriate age to purchase a tablet might be. What’s more, as technology advances at an alarming rate, there is an increasing pressure on us allto remain digitally literate; but is this a valid concern for our children, or are screens simply causing more harm than good?
A Healthy Media Diet for Your Child
A 2012 study showed that by the age of seven, the average child will have spent an entire year of 24 hours a day in front of a screen. That’s a worrying statistic, but what does it mean for our kids’ health? There is plenty of concern surrounding the issues of rising obesity and inactivity in the United States, and we now know that sitting for six hours or more a day can create serious health problems for the future.
So is this a technology problem or an inactivity problem? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), technology and inactivity go hand-in-hand. To combat this issue, the AAP currently issued new guidelines for parents, suggesting how they can foster a healthy “media diet” for their kids. The AAP states that babies under 18 months should not be exposed to screens at all, whereas 2 to 5 year olds should be limited to one hour per day of interactive or educational content.Adolescents may spend a maximum of two hours a day in front of a screen to avoid negative health implications. Certain educational apps have shown that they can increase literary comprehension in children, but they shouldn’t be used in place of print books.
When Your Child Is Ready to Own a Tablet
Dr. Ari Brown, a spokeswoman for the AAP, suggests that once a child leaves elementary school, he or she is probably ready to own a tablet. The decision, of course, is for each parent to make, and there are certain environmental, social, and economic factors that may determine when that day arrives. The decision whether or not to buy your child a tablet also hinges when you can afford to shell out $199-$499 for a device, a price that is simply too costly for many families. You can, of course, find Currys voucher codes for electronic devices to help reduce the expense of your purchase.
If you’re not sure whether to give in to your child’s requests for a tablet, think about whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks. As the advantages of a personal device include digital literacy, social interaction, and a wealth of educational resources, can you afford not to buy your child a tablet? If and when you decide to buy your child a tablet, you should set limits around their screen time and make sure they don’t use the device in place of reading, playing sports, or meeting friends face to face.