Is screen time harmful to babies and young toddlers? This is an issue of our age, something that previous generations never had to worry about. This podcast by NPR helps to shed some light on the issue. Passive screen time should be discouraged, while active screen time is actually beneficial.
In general my thoughts have always been that I don’t want my children to have much screen time. I don’t want them watching TV (in fact I wish we didn’t even own one) and I really don’t want them playing video games or having smart phones. My reasoning is this: I want our children to live in the real world, to have real interactions and to learn valuable social skills. I don’t want them to be bombarded by TV commercials telling them that they need ‘stuff’to be happy. I don’t want them to play video games at the cost of going outside and playing or using their imagination. I don’t want them to be so uncomfortable in silence or boredom that they automatically turn on a device.
Now with that said, Asher Facetimes practically everyday with one or more sets of grandparents and I have never thought to include that into my ‘minimal screen time’ rule because I see how beneficial it is for all the parties involved. I will also on occasion put an episode of Sesame Street or Curious George on Netflix. Admittedly, I always feel guilty doing so, but ultimately sometimes you just gotta do whatcha gotta do. I doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. Moderation (maybe even extreme moderation) is key here. A little bit of passive screen time won’t set him back too much. Do I wish that he didn’t have any? Absolutely, but I’m not perfect.
The true test for me though, just like Jennifer Grover from the podcast, is to learn to rein in my attention to my laptop in front of Asher. I believe that that best way to ensure that he is engaged in the present world is for Raf and I to set that example.
So go listen to this and let me know your thoughts.
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