We know the jury’s still out on how mobile devices affect young users long-term, but it’s probably safe to say that, like any tool, when used in moderation, screen time can still have its benefits. While we’d never advocate for any child to be given excessive time in front of a tablet, TV, or computer, we do like to think that a little bit can be fun, entertaining, and yes, even educational. Instead of throwing out the iPad with the bathwater, we’ll be presenting a series of posts with reasons why parents should let their wee thinkers have a bit of electronic playtime.
This week’s reason: There’s some really good stuff out there!
Yup, there’s a lot of fluff out there as well (and there’s a time and a place for fluff), but parents should never assume that it’s all frivolous. A great deal of time and energy goes into producing enriching apps, TV shows, web content, and video games. All of these media pieces can teach kids about the world around them, other people, and about themselves. They can also inspire creativity and help with skills development.
Here are some questions to ask when searching for “the good stuff”:
- What kind of characters does it portray? Does it feature a diverse cast? Do they speak to the concerns and thoughts of a kid? Are there positive messages given?
- What activities is your kid asked to do? Are they just watching, or are they required to do something, make something, or otherwise participate?
- What kind of interactivity does it provide? Do kids just poke at things, or can they create, rearrange, analyze, discuss, and share?
- Is it really noisy and flashy? No, we don’t have anything against a little noise and flash, but it should run a little deeper than this. Remember that buzzy, crazy stuff is going to annoy you as a parent too.
- Can your kid save their work and revisit later? Can they use the media as an electronic notebook of sorts?
- Is it just repetition, or do things change? Is there more material being added, even if it’s as an in-app purchase?
In the end, it’s like the choice between cupcakes and broccoli. Yeah, your kids will go for the empty calories, and they’ll enjoy them, but they’ll also probably eat (and enjoy) the broccoli, if it’s presented the right way. Never assume that a little thinker can’t be picky about the media they consume, and that quality doesn’t matter to them too.