10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for

[Jalapeñomel]

Children Under 12.

WHat do you think?

www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/10-reasons-why-handheld-devices-should-be-banned_b_4899218.html

[emjacobs]

I'm not 100% "anti-screen" for all kids, but I am limited screen for the under 5 crowd.

[noodle]

This just showed up on my FB feed, too.  I think it's an oversimplification, but I definitely agree with the philosophy of less technology, more get up and create your own entertainment.  I'm not a parent, but I'm not sure how realistic it is to say no handheld devices for kids 12 and under.  But I would love to think that H and I would be able to strongly limit screen time in a way that's pretty similar to these guidelines...

[hisno1girl]

I hope the list is like this:

Reason 1. Because they're 12.
Reason 2-10. See Reason 1.

[Deleted]

I can see it being an issue in older kids, but really I am not stressing over the hour a week my 5 year old plays on his tablet or my phone.

[Deleted]

Most of the issues in that article can be addressed by parent moderated screen time. I think it does kids a disservice not to teach them how to effectively use technology. That said, there should absolutely be limits and restrictions. I usually have the TV on in our house but DS1 (almost two) doesn't ever use our phones/iPads etc. It's where I'm comfortable and I think how much technology is okay is partially kid dependent.

[Captain Serious]

This assumes kids have unrestricted use of technology in all cases. M is in a pilot iPad classroom that is virtually paperless. J uses the iPad on both private and school speech therapy. Many of the games they use in school are things they are dying to use at home, and I see no reason to stop them. We monitor their usage and limit their free time for watching movies and just using them for mindless games.

[jodinia]

One of my friends has twins who have been diagnosed with ASD. One of her girls uses an iPad and software for communication. "screentime" allows her to communincate, and didd NOT cause her ASD.

[RoxMonster]

Not a parent: I think it comes down to parental supervision. A lot of the issues like obesity/less activity, not getting enough sleep, etc. could be monitored and not even an issue if parents restricted the amount of time kids were on technology. If the phone/tablet/TV went away at 8 and the kid had to go to bed, no more lack of sleep. If they were limited to one hour per night and the rest of the time they had to go out and play for entertainment, lack of activity isn't a huge issue.

I don't mean to oversimplify it the other way either. I just think it's such an individual issue for each kid/family, and a lot of times, the kids who really have serious issues from using technology are not being supervised/monitored at all with their use of it. I don't often get behind blanket statements for anything (like "no technology for kids under 12") because there are so many grey areas and exceptions.

[aussiecrush]

Well the OT from that article would hear an earful from my son's therapy team. The tablet is used daily for therapy, it also helps as a distraction when he is a situation that is overstimulating. Following those recommendations until 4 didn't keep him from being a sensory kid, or having ADD, in fact the screen time helps us manage things.

[snickers]

I think moderation is key.


I also think technology is the future for this generation, and we need to accept that things are different now. Technology is everywhere, and strictly limiting their exposure to it would have negative impacts on their career, educations, and social life. When used in moderation, it can have many positives impacts for children, but obviously it isn't a babysitter, nor should it be done unsupervised.

[snickers]

I also think the Huffington post isn't all that reliable.

[onomatopoeia]

Mar 9, 2014 16:17:51 GMT -5 frkls said:

i have a friend who just had to cut her 8yo off technology entirely. her kid was doing stuff like "if i skip food, then i have more time to play" and it got out of control. i totally applaud her making her kid go cold turkey. you KNOW that had to be awful for a few days

We cut our 7 yo off cold turkey after we busted him lying to us.  No video games or app's at all for 2 solid months (and no TV at all either for the first 2 weeks...it was a big lie).  Now he can play video games for an hour only on weekend mornings (while H and I sleep in), and during the week he can use the ipad for some reading and math programs they use at school.

It was hard at first, but it's turned out to be the best thing ever.  I won't go as far as to say ban them for kids under a certain age, but I agree with everyone else: parental supervision and limits is the key.

[fitgirl03]

It's just not realistic. My kind uses iPads and laptops. Half of my third graders homework and study guides is via various websites and they also use laptops on the room. They both use it far more at school then they do at home. And honestly they need to know technology. Moderation is key. Don't let your kid play minecradt for 8 hrs a day. Don't take it away all together.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 16:10:26 GMT -5 emjacobs said:

I'm not 100% "anti-screen" for all kids, but I am limited screen for the under 5 crowd.

Yeah, generally we stick to 30m tv a day if that. Weekends lately are more nuts b/c we're packing and everyone keeps getting sick so it's been more. But during the week it's 10-30m. We also don't use tv as background noise due to research we've read about it affecting attention etc (tv is more okay when it's actually being watched instead of just always on).

I'm totally against kids (eta under 8-10) having their own handheld devices though for reasons listed here plus general indulgence factor. A family tablet with games, sure, but even those leap pad things bug me. Exception is it'd be nice for long car rides but 4+ when they're a little more careful.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 16:41:03 GMT -5 @evelynrichards said:

I'm not going to advocate any list that says technology overuse is a factor in the rise of autism. Nope.

I must have totally overread that part. That's crazy.

Every family is different for sure. We notice issues with unrestricted tv and I just think 2 is ridiculous for any technological games. I agree school age changes things drastically.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 18:37:31 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Mar 9, 2014 16:10:26 GMT -5 emjacobs said:

I'm not 100% "anti-screen" for all kids, but I am limited screen for the under 5 crowd.

Yeah, generally we stick to 30m tv a day if that. Weekends lately are more nuts b/c we're packing and everyone keeps getting sick so it's been more. But during the week it's 10-30m. We also don't use tv as background noise due to research we've read about it affecting attention etc (tv is more okay when it's actually being watched instead of just always on).

I'm totally against kids (eta under 8-10) having their own handheld devices though for reasons listed here plus general indulgence factor. A family tablet with games, sure, but even those leap pad things bug me. Exception is it'd be nice for long car rides but 4+ when they're a little more careful.

Wht did you read about the tv as background noise affecting attention? I do this a lot (I don't have kids) but I didn't know it was bad. I jut do it to have some noise going when I am alone and cooking, cleaning, etc. Is music supposed to be bad too?

[karinothing]

I am pretty anti-screen, but I would rather have my kid playing educational games on the ipad than watching cartoons.

[Dumbledork]

Mar 9, 2014 18:05:28 GMT -5 snickers said:

I think moderation is key.


I also think technology is the future for this generation, and we need to accept that things are different now. Technology is everywhere, and strictly limiting their exposure to it would have negative impacts on their career, educations, and social life. When used in moderation, it can have many positives impacts for children, but obviously it isn't a babysitter, nor should it be done unsupervised.

This 100% By not using technology and letting them use it in their own lessons/exploration, we're putting them at a disadvantage. Technology is a big piece of our current adult life, our kids need to be able to master this and be ready to move into the next new thing as they grow, not just learning how to create a PowerPoint as a college freshman. 

As a parent, I don't actively time how much screen time she has on any given day. She has a LeapPad, and she loves it, but she really only wants to play it in the car. Sometimes she needs a day to just feel blah and veg on the couch for a bit, or she'll play video games with her dad for an hour or two here or there. It's rarely in all day, every day thing and when it is, it doesn't usually take more than a "It's time to turn the tv off for the day. You can have music on while you play or you can go outside." And she's good to go. If it ever becomes more of an addiction, we'll revisit how we structure her exposure to it all, but right now I don't see it causing harm.

ETA: I'll add that she's even gotten to the point when she knows she needs a day to just chill. She'll tell me "Momma, I just need to have a quiet day today. Can we watch a movie and play legos?" As much as I'd like to take credit for it, I think Daniel Tiger telling her to just calm down and use her words to explain her feelings gets through to her more than my saying it ever would.

[stephm0188]

I was pretty amazing at Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros. 3 and lived to tell the tale.

That list is lame. It would be one thing if my kid was spending all his time playing Grand Theft Auto instead of riding his bike, but he's not. He uses an iPad in ST and OT. We use our Wii for PT at home... yoga with the Wii is a lot more fun than yoga with mom. I play Words with Friends with him to work on spelling. His class has computer lab time every day.

I see electronics as useful tools.

[aussiecrush]

Mar 9, 2014 19:54:33 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Also H has ADD, so if she gets it I can always blame it on him.

H frequently says at least we know where it came from.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 18:54:11 GMT -5 AuntFlo said:

Mar 9, 2014 18:37:31 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Yeah, generally we stick to 30m tv a day if that. Weekends lately are more nuts b/c we're packing and everyone keeps getting sick so it's been more. But during the week it's 10-30m. We also don't use tv as background noise due to research we've read about it affecting attention etc (tv is more okay when it's actually being watched instead of just always on).

I'm totally against kids (eta under 8-10) having their own handheld devices though for reasons listed here plus general indulgence factor. A family tablet with games, sure, but even those leap pad things bug me. Exception is it'd be nice for long car rides but 4+ when they're a little more careful.

Wht did you read about the tv as background noise affecting attention? I do this a lot (I don't have kids) but I didn't know it was bad. I jut do it to have some noise going when I am alone and cooking, cleaning, etc. Is music supposed to be bad too?

I will find and link later but basically it's a distraction, and divides attention. No, music is not the same generally, there are loads of studies about the benefits of music. I think non lyrical is supposed to be best but tv has a million things going on at once - different voices, complex dialogue, backgrounds noises, background music - that having it on while playing creates the mental distraction. It affects attention and focus.

Now, there are days when they're sick or we're sick and it's on for way longer than it should be. But we try to keep it to actually being watched. I grew up in a tv always on house and I also just don't like it. It does distract, from conversation, from being able to focus on what you're doing, you eat with less mindfulness, etc. (Jake and I eat in front of the tv during the week but try for family dinners on weekends and I notice the difgerence there too)

[Deleted]

And as for being at a disadvantage, I only half buy that. I think kids under 5 get enough exposure and use of technology without needing their own devices. It seems silly, like a total upper middle class first world problem.

School age does change things, I definitely agree, but I think just letting your kids use the computer is generally enough. They pick up on stuff so quickly that I'm not at all worried about them being behind while sticking to our no devices until 8+ rule.

[jenna]

We limit my 13 year old's screen time. He turns into a brain dead zombie if left to his own devices. Toddler E spends maybe 30 minutes using a learning game on my tablet 3-5x a week, if that much.  E watches tv almost daily, but it's usually dvds = no commercials, and it's the same 3-4 cartoons - Curious George, Thomas, Superwhy, Word World.

I do think some parents aren't aware of how much screen time their children are getting. If my 13 year old is to be believed, he says several of his peers stay up late playing games, and playing on the internet.

Moderation is the key, and parental supervision/control, especially regarding content.

[iamgrace]

I worry about too much screen time and try to limit Henry.

He has games he likes to play on the iPad and we have fallen into the trap of him needing to watch a show on the iPad to fall asleep. I hate this, but right now it is what it is. He watches a show or plays a game when i am busy putting Clare down for a nap during the day. I know he watches basically nonstop tv at his grandpa's house when he's there.

Because of these things, I severely limit (like it doesn't happen) his screen time(both games and shows) outside of those times. I hate that we rely on it so much. I know we could (painfully, lol) ween him from the watching a show to go to sleep. If he doesn't have a screen in front of him when I need him to be out of my hair putting down Clare, the baby napping just doesn't happen.

I try to remind myself that I also do good things with him. He gets outside every day unless it's awful, we do numbers,letters, reading, songs, baking, blah, blah, but the screen time still bugs me.

[iamgrace]

Mar 10, 2014 5:26:50 GMT -5 jenna said:

We limit my 13 year old's screen time. He turns into a brain dead zombie if left to his own devices. Toddler E spends maybe 30 minutes using a learning game on my tablet 3-5x a week, if that much.  E watches tv almost daily, but it's usually dvds = no commercials, and it's the same 3-4 cartoons - Curious George, Thomas, Superwhy, Word World.

I do think some parents aren't aware of how much screen time their children are getting. If my 13 year old is to be believed, he says several of his peers stay up late playing games, and playing on the internet.

Moderation is the key, and parental supervision/control, especially regarding content.

When I was teaching,I had kids in my classes (12-14 yr olds) that would literally be up all night online or playing games.


No computers, phones. iPads in bedrooms ever. 

[Deleted]

Grace, I definitely think wee need to remember that temporary solutions to life transitions (new baby, moving, etc) shouldn't really be included in those instances. Survival above all, lol, especially with a newborn. It's good to be aware but, while breaking a survival habit might suck, it isn't going to have the same long term effects we fear it will.

[iamgrace]

Mar 10, 2014 7:24:58 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Grace, I definitely think wee need to remember that temporary solutions to life transitions (new baby, moving, etc) shouldn't really be included in those instances. Survival above all, lol, especially with a newborn. It's good to be aware but, while breaking a survival habit might suck, it isn't going to have the same long term effects we fear it will.

This is totally true. 

I can see screen time decreasing as they both get older. I am bound and determined to not fall into the same trap with Clare needing a device to fall asleep, though!  Lol. 

[tigress]

I don't agree with not having any screen time. My kids use a lot of educational apps. And I flew with them internationally in December. No way we would have survived without the kindle and ipad and iphone.

But when we got back I noticed they would sit with the TV on and each have a device and throw fits if they couldn't have our phones. So we restrict TV time nowadays and we don't keep the kindle and ipad out for regular use. Its a special thing or a long trip thing. Seems to work SO much better.

[CloudBee]

It's all about moderation. 15 minutes of Pocoyo twice a week isn't going to impact my child's language development.