All types of media including TV, computers, smartphones, and devices such as iPads, are inevitably part of our world. It influences everything in it, including the development of our children and their world. Although we cannot steer away from media completely with children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages a healthy media development, which does not overrule your child’s development in all areas.
Guidelines for media usage:
Media usage for children younger than 2 years old:
- Media should be very limited and only when an adult is standing by to co-view, talk and teach. An example of this would be video-chatting with family members - such as FaceTime, Skype of WhatsApp video call.
- Other forms of media should be avoided.
This age is crucial for the sensory motor development, fine and gross motor development. It is vital that a child should interact with object and activities that promote this development. It could be an ‘easy-way-out option’ for parents to give their children an iPad, however this should be avoided, and rather give the child blocks/cups/buckets to stack on top of each other in order to learn this motor skill. Children should get to know their environment and explore in all forms that feeds their sensory development.
Media usage for children 18-24 months:
- This is a safe age to start introducing digital media.
- Media usage should be co-used with parent - try to avoid solo media usage.
Parents are encouraged to use the time of screen time with their child to develop skills. Watch educational programs together or play an educational game. Screen time should never replace actual play time. Play time should always come first and should consume the majority of the child’s awake time.
Media usage for children 2-5 years of age:
