Toddlers and Computers - Tips for Tech Success

With hundreds of websites and even tablets designed for the pre-preschool set, you may be wondering whether it's time to start having some fun online with your little one. But check out these pointers for before you wire your tot.

When is it OK for toddlers to start screen time?

Even though your little one may have been grabbing for your phone from the age of 5 months, babies and toddlers are developing important social and motor skills — and too much (or any) time in front of the screen takes away from other important learning opportunities. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends kids under the age of 18 months avoid all screen time. Between the ages of 18 to 24 months, parents can introduce high-quality digital media. Once you do introduce that smartphone or tablet, it's important to co-watch and reteach the content to your little one, since tots aren't able to take what they've watched on screen and apply it to real life.

How long should a child have screen time?

Between the ages of 2 to 5 years, children's screen time should be limited to one hour per day of high-quality content. For older kids, be sure to place consistent limits on time in front of the screen.

Tips for toddler screentime

Ready to fire up that tablet and hand it to your tot? Make sure to follow these tips to ensure a productive and educational screen session with your little one:

Choose wisely. The AAP recommends parents choose only high-quality children's programming, like PBS Kids and Sesame Workshop, since more serious studies back their teaching potential. Check out Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, for unbiased guidance on the best apps, games and other children's media programming.
Preview first. Take a look at any children’s website, app or game you’re considering on your own before you visit with your curious and impressionable toddler on your lap. During your solo surfing session, make sure all content is truly little-kid-friendly (no violence, scary images or too-loud noises) and it jives with what you want him to learn — and how.
Keep it age-appropriate. No matter how compelling some older kids’ games look (or how precocious your precious one is), they may be overwhelming and overstimulating for a toddler who’s still getting the hang of reality (never mind the virtual kind). So avoid aging up — take the rating on that toddler computer website or software box seriously and stick to games, activities and toddler smartphone apps intended for very young children.
Give the virtual world a real foundation. Firsthand (and ear, and eyes, and nose, and even mouth) real-world experience helps your tot get more out of the stuff he sees on-screen. So check out the birds in the park or the firefighters at the firehouse before (and after) you explore them virtually. Then remind your tot what he saw on his outing — “Remember the birds were building a nest?” — to connect the concepts on his monitor to those he’s encountered in real life. Deepen a virtual experience (watching a girl making cookies with her mom) by following up with a real one (make cookies with your toddler).
Interact and guide. You might think your child can handle going solo on the computer (or electronic toy) — after all, toddlers and computers equipped with high-quality games are an educational combination, right? Yes, but much better to keep the “lap” in lapware — with you, not the computer, guiding the learning. Turn screen time into interactive learning activities — just like you do when reading to toddlers — by asking lots of questions (“Where did the doggie go?”), adding commentary (“That doggie has spots”), and connecting the on-screen images with real-world examples (“She looks just like our dog Molly”).
Set time limits. Screen sessions for toddlers (who aren’t exactly famous for their long attention spans) should last no longer than five or 10 minutes. And if your child is under 18 months, gets squirmy easily or prefers tossing the mouse or tablet to clicking or touching it, it’s best to hold off on screen time until she's a bit older. Your tyke can’t get enough screen time? Set limits — one hour max per day for kids 2 and up — whether your little one likes them or not (a timer comes in handy here). If you're nervous she'll throw a tantrum, check out tips for transitioning toddlers between activities.