Building Healthy Digital Media Habits for Kids

Tanya J. Fitts, M.D.

Kids today are growing up in a world where constant connectivity is the norm.

With the press of a button, children have access to a never-ending stream of games and videos. Social media and texting keep them in constant contact with their friends, their classmates, and unfortunately, strangers. Many schools are bringing devices into the classroom, increasing the amount of screentime that kids get during the week. And parents often feel pressured to give their children access to the digital content they crave.

These dynamics can make building healthy digital media habits with your kids an ever-present challenge. To help get you started, we’ve put together these eight tips.

1.   Consider their age: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under the age of two shouldn’t spend any of their day in front of a screen. They don’t perceive anything going on as real language, and it can interfere with their language development. The exception, however, is FaceTime, or as my kid calls it, “picture calling.” These video calls are reciprocal. Children are mirroring back what they’re seeing and hearing. At the same time, these calls are reinforcing family bonds. For 2- to 5-year-olds, AAP recommends just one hour a day of high-quality programming. ABCmouse.com, Sesame Street and PBS Kids each create great educational content that I like to share with my kids.

2.   Co-view with your kids: It is important that younger kids, especially those under five, use a device only with an adult. This way, you can talk about what they’ve watched and reinforce what was taught. 

3.   Make playtime a priority: Devices are an easy option for entertaining antsy kids. But reaching for the phone in these moments will reinforce negative pathways in the brain. When kids spend time on their phones and tablets, it gives them a hit of dopamine just like you get when you eat a piece of chocolate. Instead, get down on the floor and play with your kids. Send them in the backyard to play a game. Or when you’re stuck waiting for an appointment, reach in your purse for a bag of blocks instead of your phone. This type of offline play is essential for developing a child’s motor skills and stimulating their creativity. 

4.   Create tech-free time: It’s vital that your family sets aside time to be disconnected so you can connect with each other. In my family, the dinner table is a device-free zone. My husband and I spend that time building healthy communication habits with our young kids. Decide what time is important to how your family functions and don’t hesitate to ban phones and turn off the television for these moments.

5.   Keep devices out of bedrooms: When your kids go to bed, so should their phones and tablets. If kids are on their devices in bed — or even too close to bedtime — the blue light emitted can increase alertness and wreak havoc on their sleep schedule. For older children too, access to devices is often difficult to refuse, especially when they’re alone in their room. Instead of sleeping, you’ll find them gaming, browsing, texting and Facetiming friends, boyfriends and girlfriends. 

6.   Model healthy tech behaviors: Kids will talk how you talk. They’ll eat how you eat. And they’ll use devices the same way you do. If you’re constantly on your phone or always watching television, they’ll copy you. Make sure you’re aware of your relationship with these devices so your kids will do the same.

7.   Stay in the know: As your kids get older and start using social media, it’s important that you’re tuned in. Monitor who your kids are interacting with. Set parental controls when they’re available. Educate yourself — and your kids — on the privacy rules of different platforms and apps. And as new options become popular, get to know it before you let your kids get involved.

8.   Create a media use plan: HealthyChildren.org has a helpful tool for building a plan that will help you and your family think about the media you use and create rules and goals for how and when you use that media.

Remember, digital media and technology is no different than anything else in your family’s life. You can set limits — kids need and expect them.