Tips for approaching Screen-time with young children:

• OBSERVE the child’s behavior. When using high-quality, age-appropriate media, kids will exhibit positive behavior. 

• SCREEN what the child is watching, viewing and playing before they do. There is no criteria to be an “educational app” even though many apps parents find in the app store label themselves as such yet have no research supporting this claim. Choosing shows, movies, apps, and games that are age-appropriate is key for learning to occur. 
• For children under 18 months media should be avoided (except video-chatting). 
• For children 18-24 months viewing high quality media with the child is most effective (avoid solo media use at this age). 
• For children 2-5 years old, co-viewing is the most effective way to use media, limit to under 2 hours a day, avoid fast-paced media, avoid those with advertisements, and talk with children about what they are viewing and try to make a connection to the world around them. 

• DIVERSIFY the media. Not all media was created equal; passively watching TV is very different than an educational app or game. As children get older they will be using computes and devices in schools and a set amount of screen time will be difficult to enforce. Time spent with technology should be diversified over apps, gaming, research and homework, social networking and entertainment. The goal is for children to be well-adjusted socially and emotionally both online and offline.

• TURN OFF background television as it can distract children from creative play and can limit parent-child interactions. 

• TALK with the child about what they are viewing, why they find it interesting and how it makes them feel. Create an open dialogue. As children get older they may come across images, comments or content that is hateful, inappropriate or makes them uncomfortable. If you approach social media and technology with open dialogue, if a situation arises the child will come to you and you can work through it.

• Create a MEDIA PLAN that works for your family and then enforce it consistently. This could include screen-free times such as during dinner or having screen-free rooms like the kitchen or bedrooms. This also means setting limits based on the child's age or time of day. Its recommended that screens should be limited an hour before bedtime as it can interfere with sleep.  For older children charging of devices should NOT be done in bedrooms so sleep won't be interrrupted or distract before bedtime. Having the conversation with your partner early about the purpose of media and screen time within your family helps sets the stage for the future. Every child and every family will have a different media plan. Be realistic about your families needs. 

• And always MODEL the behavior you want from your children with media use. They are watching everything you do. For young children it is helpful to narrate what you are doing when you are on your phone or computer. As adults we frequently use our devices for work or other necessary times and saying “Mommy needs to answer this email to her client right now but will be able to play once I’m finished” will help young children put a context and purpose to what you are doing.