The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that for children 2 to 5 years of age, screen time should be limited to one hour per day. For kids ages 6 and older, parents can determine the restrictions for screen time, and what types of digital media their children may use (making sure they have balanced time with school and homework, social time and at least one hour of physical activity).  Infants aged 18 months and younger should not be exposed to any digital media.  Previously the Academy had set a general screen time limit of no more than two hours in front of a screen for kids over 2 years of age.

In today’s 24/7 digital world, the AAP identifies screen time as time spent using digital media for entertainment purposes, while other uses, such as online homework, don’t count as screen time.

Kids today spend over 50 hours of screen time every week. While there is a wide scope of proven research and speculation, there is no doubt that media content has a big impact on kids cognitive, emotional, and social development.

I get the irony of reading this on a website.  But I do encourage your children to read and write. Let them go to their own NATURAL devices and be creative!  The rewards are great.  It may be tough to direct kids to play on their own rather than simply handing them over your phone (or theirs) to occupy them.  But it gets easier.  Instill a love of reading and they will never be bored.