Tablet/Screen Time Rules?

[nicolewi]

I posted on MM, too. 

We are going to break out the Fire 8 Kids' tablets soon. I got them before Christmas but I decided to wait to get them out. I wanted the kids to pay attention to their OTHER gifts and not just want to play with the tablets. Also didn't want to have to mess with any set-up over Christmas.

We are going to introduce them soon, but before we do I'd like to have my ducks in a row about what our rules should be. They haven't really had access to anything like this before. They use my desktop and sometimes get to use someone's iPad for a little bit. The kids are 9, 7, 5 and 3 and will be sharing 2 tablets. I'm thinking one will be primarily set up for each of the older kids, but the younger will use them as well. 

What rules/limits have you set up? Any recommendations and advice? TIA.

ETA: mostly wanting rules to apply to the older two kids. The younger two will have very limited access for now and I can pretty much monitor their usage.

[dizzycooks]

I’m dreading this. Our rules are currently ask and I’ll tell you if it’s ok. It’s ok about once a week for 20 minutes. Helpful I know, 😂 they don’t really ask though so it’s not a fight.

[gastro]

When will you allow it? Will it be okay during the week/school days or weekends?
If the little ones see the older kids using it they may ask, whine, beg and cry so if the olders get more access maybe there is a space where the littles don’t actually see them using it?

My DS1 (6) gets about 1/2 hour of screen time a week day. He gets to choose how he uses it whether it’s a show I’ve approved on Netflix or a game.
On weekend I’m more lax probably an hour (or more) but the deal is same amount of time spent on educational vs games/shows. He has todo math, brain pop, xtra math etc so we split the time. You get an hour and the first 1/2 is a math game and the last 1/2. Is whatever you want.
Also, I say when it stops and if there is any whining or anger the device is gone for a week
We also do media free weeks a few times a year.
No devices after dinner.

For my younger 2 year old he gets to play apps when I’m making dinner and is bothering me to hold him or whatever so that’s a few times a week. I do let him watch some TV too but he isn’t on a device much so I haven’t had to make any rules. I let him play on my phone sometimes in the car too.

I’m not to rigid but the only thing is when I say it’s off, it’s off. Punishment (losing the device for weeks at a time) happens when I get push back. Whining for a device = no device.

Edit: I know school and activities takes a lot out of DS1. Letting him just chill out on the couch for 1/2 hour just relaxes him and gives him a chance to decompress so I’m happy to let him watch. If it had a negative behavioral impact I would not let him use it during he school week.

[erbear]

Our rules are you can ask me if it's ok, and I can say yes or no. And when I say turn them off, they do. Because they are mine. And I loan them to you.

Also, no youtube

[cjcouple]

Mainly, just ask before you download apps. Some apps names are misleading so I check age ratings.

Absolutely, no social media or chatting with anyone except friends you know irl.

Homework must be done first.

I am loose on time limits because i factor other things into it. (TV, game systems, DS). Weekends have more time obviously. Some days during good weather when they are super busy with sports and play outside a lot they dont have any but other times in icky/freezing weather when they cant go out much, they may end up with a couple hours.

Last week they had a lot of time. It was dangerously cold temps outside (only went out for 30 min increments) and snowy and had a couple snow days.

This week warmed up and havr had much less because theyvhad school, homework, basketball practices and games every night, they had basically had bedtimes shows only.

I prefer to not have "set" daily limits because then they get upset if they dont have that time. If we are busy and its bedtime and they missed their "time", it can seem unfair like they are punished even though we just didnt have free time.

Anyway, that was a book. Haha. Sorry

[nicolewi]

Lots of really good points and suggestions, thanks. I need to think more about it. I don't really think it will be an issue with anyone other than DS. I think he will be addicted. He got a little hand-held Frogger game for Christmas and has been playing it tons.

[nicolewi]

gastro, I really like the push-back/whining=no device!

[court26]

We have rules, but they change. My DS (9) is sports obsessed and likes to check scores in the mornings, so as long as he is all ready for school, I let him check scores from the night before, but he isn't supposed to play games then. My kids don't watch a lot of tv shows, so I probably allow more tablet time than other parents. We have video game systems, but DS prefers the tablet. Also, DD (7) isn't that into it, so she is not a worry. DS would stay on it all day if we let him (sounds like your concern). Tablets are not allowed in their rooms so we can monitor more easily. We don't allow them in the car unless the drive is over an hour (and then it is still up to adults). Most of it has evolved as we figured out what they wanted to use them for and how high their interest level was!