American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their recommendations regarding technology use and exposure of children. This original recommendation – created in 1999 – stated that children under two should not be exposed to any sort of screen. The updated recommendations now state:

  • Children younger than 18 months: No screen exposure is still best; other than video-chatting
  • Children 18-24 months: Only be introduced to High Quality programming and watch it WITH their parents to help them understand WHAT they are seeing
  • Age 2-5 years: Limited screen exposure (less than 1 hour a day) of high quality programs. And parents should co-view to help the child understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

As a child development specialist, the effects of this new ruling on child brain growth is frightening to think about. While it is important to look at and assess the changing roles media and screen time has in our lives, the long-term repercussions of extensive screen time could affect generations to come. The new recommendations from the AAP were intentional that the key to this media use is having meaningful discussions with their children and help them process what they are seeing and relate it to the world around them. This could be a great way to avoid the negative effects of technology – if it actually happens.

The reality is, the interpretation of this new ruling might cause confusion among parents. The AAP is a trusted source for many parents to seek guidance on child development practices. What this ruling might be interpreted through soundbites and summaries is: “It is ok for young children to have screen time, without supervision” and that is not true. This practice is already all around us – we see this now at restaurants and in grocery store lines. Parents give their phone to their child so they will be quiet. While the parent is technically ‘present’, they are not engaging in the learning process with their child. The key is to use screen time like a book or another tool to help demonstrate a situation and talk through or process it with your child. Screen time cannot take the place of learning social skills such as having a conversation or learning how to talk. When it comes down to it – technology cannot babysit your child – nor is that what these new guidelines recommend.

Jan Katchmazenski is the School Readiness Program Director at Camp Fire First Texas. Jan brings extensive child care experience to Camp Fire as she has previously worked as a parent educator, childcare director and special needs aide. Jan holds an associate degree in mental health from Tarrant County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in child development from Texas Woman’s University and a master’s degree in child development from Texas Woman’s University.