technology and how much?

ladylisalt

Just curious how mom's manage technology time. By that I mean, iPad, phone,laptop, any other device your toddler might use. My son never had a lot of interest in these things so I didn't have to worry about it too much. Now that he is 2.7 he loves nursery rhymes and some other videos. Sometimes its nice to let him sit and watch and I can get some things done and I don't feel too guilty. Of course I think he would stay on it longer or more frequent if I let him. I am 100% not here to judge or criticize, just wondering average time your toddler spends on a device in a sitting or frequency in a day. Just want to be realistic in whats a good balance. I do realize I am the parent and make the decisions but love "real mom advice and experiences".

MisN

DD is almost three. I would say every other day she watches a half hour show on TV (leap frog, blues clues, Dora...). On the days when she doesn't watch a show, we might let her watch about 10 minutes of something age appropriate on YouTube ( like the other day she asked to see birds hatching so we watched that) or some home movies (she loves watching her own baby videos!) A few times a week we FaceTime grandparents. She's not that interested in my phone or ipad, every once and a while she will look at photos on one of these devices.

blu-eyedwife

We do some television in the morning while DH and I are getting ready for work.

Device-wise, we don't let him play with phones.  Mostly because I don't want him to think they're toys.  And I don't want to have to worry about them getting thrown about or tossed in a bath or toilet.   And he doesn't use the laptop at all - except for Skyping grandma on the weekend.  We have a 1st gen ipad that I load apps on specifically for him, but he's hit or miss with those.  He'll go through a phase where he wants to play "lion train" every day, and then he'll go weeks without wanting to play at all.  At this age (almost 2.5) I don't really limit his usage, but I also don't need to as he doesn't really want to do much of anything for long periods at a time.

Xath

It's situation dependent in our house. He's been sick with a fever for the past few days, so he's gotten a lot more screen time than normal because that way he's resting and not running all over the house. We got him a Kindle Fire for Christmas because we're doing a lot of long distance travel this year. I like it because he can read books on it, and I have direct control over the available apps and videos, and how much time he can spend on each.

My H and I are tech junkies, so he gets exposed to a lot. He's interested because we're interested, and I'm not interested in hiding something from him that is going to be such an integral part of his future. We mostly save videos for the actual TV and long car trips, so he spends most of his tablet time reading books and playing educational apps.

Sometimes we'll let him play with our phones when we're out at a restaurant, after he's finished eating and exhausted his other activities (coloring, cars, paper books).

Tl;dr. We don't have a set time limit, more situationally dependent on what we're doing as a family that day. Sometimes there's no tech time, other times like when he's sick, he gets several hours.

Leap08

We watch a cartoon in the morning (Dora, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, etc..). Both girls have their on LeapPads and usually are allowed to play with them for 30 minutes or so on Saturdays and Sundays. I have some toddler games on my i-pad and DD2 will sometimes play one for 10 minutes or so. Sometimes I'll play youtube clips from Sesame St. for DD2 while I fix her hair (it's one of the only ways I can get her to sit still enough for me to do it).

I would say that both girls average less than an 1 hour of screen time a day during the week and a bit more on weekends. 

ashiscute

My DD is 3 and DS is 18 mos and they watch usually one show a day on TV about 25 mins.  I have a Kindle Fire that they also watch some youtube videos on but it's usually a video here or there.  Sometimes if I just need 5 mins or so that's a good way to get it.  

DD does have a couple games on there that she likes to play maybe 3 or 4 times a week for usually about 15 mins or so.  After that she tends to get bored and starts surfing about and then I take it away.  

AggieBeth06

DS watches 0 min - 1 hr of TV a day on average. We watch more on the weekends.

We don't let him play on our phones except to watch you tube videos (disney singalongs mainly).

We got him a Kindle Fire for Christmas and we play a variety of games together. He likes the Frozen puzzles and a Scooby Doo sticker app. He would only play those if I didn't get involved and make him play some of the educational games first.

He'll get in a kick of playing on the kindle for 30 minutes a day for a week and then will go 2-3 without even thinking about the Kindle.

JulesDiane

SandAndsSea said:

DS gets to play on the ipad while he's eating breakfast while DH showers and gets ready for work (so maybe 15 minutes) in the morning.  He plays games (like clumsy ninja, Agnitus, Peekaboo pets) or watches shows on PBS Kids or Eebee Baby or reads books (Fisher price books).

He also gets about 15 minutes before bedtime.  We will watch learning videos on the ipad on youtube (Super Simple Learning Songs) and then do a goodnight story on it (Goodnight Safari, Night Night, or a Goodnight Scooter one that has counting).

They don't have any TV or anything at school so he's playing and running around most of the day, so I don't mind a little screen time to wind him down.

I was watching a segment the other day on TV about screen time. One of the "experts" (a doctor) said that they shouldn't have any type of electronics (TV, ipad, iphone, etc) within 2 hours of going to bed because it stimulates the brain before going to bed. Of course, this is just one experts "opinion".

JulesDiane

We have had a really tough time finding a good balance with our almost 4 year old. She constantly wants videos, TV, and iphone/ipad usage. She was starting to have meltdowns whenever her alloted time was up. For the time being, we have completely taken away all of it and it has been going better. We will add it back in, but we are still trying to figure out the best way to do this. It will definintely need to be more structured time. I think we might start just allowing it on the weekends and go from there. It really is a tough thing to balance especially as they get older and more vocal. Plus, like you said.. it gives you an opportunity to get things done too! But, as we have taken it away, she has been forced to play by herself more.  The "experts" recommend no more than 1 hour of screen time a day for this age. That includes tv and tablet use.

laurakaz13

DD is almost 3.  She gets some media time every day.  We let her play pre-school games on the iPad.  Most of them are learning games with numbers, letters, etc. so I am okay with that. 

She also loves nursery rhymes and songs on video and we do those every night before bedtime.  I'm fine with that too.  We also let her watch Dora or a show of her choice before bed and on weekends probably a few shows. 

I want to expose her to technology so she is comfortable with it by the time she gets to kindergarten.  There are days when I am exhausted and DH is traveling and I keep the TV on for a while in the evening.  I do feel guilty about that, but luckily it only happens once in a while. 

DD had no interest in TV or electronics until about 2, so we didn't watch or use any until she was interested. 

rodiesmum

we do not have an IPAD/Tablet so she doesnt get exposed to that. For TV, she gets to watch Disney Jr Shows during weekends (fri, sat and sometimes sun) about 30 mins to one hour.
Re: Iphone -- i let her use it for like the critical minutes before heading to DC (around 5-10 mins), and she usually watches/uses the dinosaur puzzle apps that i downloaded for her.

Re: the laptop, she watches youtube during friday night and saturday morning. About 30 mins to an hour while im cleaning up and she is eating bkfast. She loves peppa Pig videos, Frozen or some play doh demo. 

Aurora_Borealis

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

janinekrause

Good question and I really have no exact time on it. My little one is 2 and my older one is 5.  During week my little one is with my babysitter and I have no set limit. My babysitter doesnt like sitting at home so they are out most of the morning, then it is nap time. So she probably watches TV for 30-45 minutes in the AM.  Late afternoon sometimes they watch TV, sometimes ipad, sometimes computer. No 2 days are the same, and it depends on weather, and how busy they are.  My 5 year old is gone in K from 8-3:45 or 8-5 depending on day, so she usually watches TV or plays on computer for an hour or so when she gets home.

Some weekends they have hours of screentime- TV, computer, etc. Some weekends it is much much less.

They are super active kids but harder in the winter to find tons of physical indoor activities.  We also read books tons, arts and crafts, make believe, hide and seek, etc.

My kids are awake between 11-13 hours a day, so there is a lot going on.

If I feel like they are getting too much which happens sometimes on weekend, we shut everything off. They tend to be much more creative on finding things to do when it is not an option.

I try and balance it, but with my older one, it is just not a reality in my house. I like TV/movies and computer, and as long as she does everything else, I am not worried.

For example, we watched Mary Poppins for an hour and a half last night because my mom is taking them to a local play and I want them to know the songs before they go

ladylisalt

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

janinekrause

ladylisalt said:

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

I dont necessarily think that at all. The reality is our world has tons of technology, and kids are using them in schools at any early age.  Not all technology or screen time is bad for kids- in fact, there is tons of education in a lot of it-  I love Sesame Street and watched as a kid.

I don't believe in extremes- "not allowed' to use a computer, not allowed to eat sweets, to drink juice, etc etc. 

ladylisalt

janinekrause said:

ladylisalt said:

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

I dont necessarily think that at all. The reality is our world has tons of technology, and kids are using them in schools at any early age.  Not all technology or screen time is bad for kids- in fact, there is tons of education in a lot of it-  I love Sesame Street and watched as a kid.

I don't believe in extremes- "not allowed' to use a computer, not allowed to eat sweets, to drink juice, etc etc. 

janinekrause, you may have misunderstood my compliment. I was just commending the fact that
Aurora mentioned that they are limiting the amount of technology. I say this bc I am a teacher and although technology is all around us, including schools and the workplace, I also see the daily downfalls of it too,especially around overuse. I know this topic could open up into a huge debate,which I am not thinking that's where you were going with your comment, but I did want to give credit to a parent that I thought was making a good conscious effort to monitor. I agree, you cannot limit everything from your kids but I do feel when they are this age it is good to set limits bc someday it will be much more challenging to do so. 

ladylisalt

ladylisalt said:

janinekrause said:

ladylisalt said:

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

I dont necessarily think that at all. The reality is our world has tons of technology, and kids are using them in schools at any early age.  Not all technology or screen time is bad for kids- in fact, there is tons of education in a lot of it-  I love Sesame Street and watched as a kid.

I don't believe in extremes- "not allowed' to use a computer, not allowed to eat sweets, to drink juice, etc etc. 

janinekrause, you may have misunderstood my compliment. I was just commending the fact that
Aurora mentioned that they are limiting the amount of technology. I say this bc I am a teacher and although technology is all around us, including schools and the workplace, I also see the daily downfalls of it too,especially around overuse. I know this topic could open up into a huge debate,which I am not thinking that's where you were going with your comment, but I did want to give credit to a parent that I thought was making a good conscious effort to monitor. I agree, you cannot limit everything from your kids but I do feel when they are this age it is good to set limits bc someday it will be much more challenging to do so. 

and PS my son goes on my computer for a bit almost daily and occassionally plays on an app on my phone, so I am def. not anti-technology altogether.

janinekrause

ladylisalt said:

ladylisalt said:

janinekrause said:

ladylisalt said:

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

I dont necessarily think that at all. The reality is our world has tons of technology, and kids are using them in schools at any early age.  Not all technology or screen time is bad for kids- in fact, there is tons of education in a lot of it-  I love Sesame Street and watched as a kid.

I don't believe in extremes- "not allowed' to use a computer, not allowed to eat sweets, to drink juice, etc etc. 

janinekrause, you may have misunderstood my compliment. I was just commending the fact that
Aurora mentioned that they are limiting the amount of technology. I say this bc I am a teacher and although technology is all around us, including schools and the workplace, I also see the daily downfalls of it too,especially around overuse. I know this topic could open up into a huge debate,which I am not thinking that's where you were going with your comment, but I did want to give credit to a parent that I thought was making a good conscious effort to monitor. I agree, you cannot limit everything from your kids but I do feel when they are this age it is good to set limits bc someday it will be much more challenging to do so. 

and PS my son goes on my computer for a bit almost daily and occassionally plays on an app on my phone, so I am def. not anti-technology altogether.

No, not trying to start a debate at all.I agree- kids overuse technology and TV. In some instances, it leads to really poor results for sure. Limiting I think is super important, but I guess I am always surprised when it is 100% not allowed.

ladylisalt

janinekrause said:

ladylisalt said:

ladylisalt said:

janinekrause said:

ladylisalt said:

Aurora_Borealis said:

DD is 2 and is not allowed to play with the iPad or computer.

I let her watch Sesame Street a couple of times a week if she asks or some cartoons while I'm making dinner so she is not underfoot in the (very, very small) kitchen.

But, DH & I are not big TV watchers at all and are making a conscious effort to keep our own screen time to a minimum.

Good for you. You are setting great examples for your children. 

I dont necessarily think that at all. The reality is our world has tons of technology, and kids are using them in schools at any early age.  Not all technology or screen time is bad for kids- in fact, there is tons of education in a lot of it-  I love Sesame Street and watched as a kid.

I don't believe in extremes- "not allowed' to use a computer, not allowed to eat sweets, to drink juice, etc etc. 

janinekrause, you may have misunderstood my compliment. I was just commending the fact that
Aurora mentioned that they are limiting the amount of technology. I say this bc I am a teacher and although technology is all around us, including schools and the workplace, I also see the daily downfalls of it too,especially around overuse. I know this topic could open up into a huge debate,which I am not thinking that's where you were going with your comment, but I did want to give credit to a parent that I thought was making a good conscious effort to monitor. I agree, you cannot limit everything from your kids but I do feel when they are this age it is good to set limits bc someday it will be much more challenging to do so. 

and PS my son goes on my computer for a bit almost daily and occassionally plays on an app on my phone, so I am def. not anti-technology altogether.

No, not trying to start a debate at all.I agree- kids overuse technology and TV. In some instances, it leads to really poor results for sure. Limiting I think is super important, but I guess I am always surprised when it is 100% not allowed.

got it. Thanks