Parenting and Prevention
Navigating This Tech World with Little Ones
By Rocio Gormley
In this era of constant technological advances, parents are faced with a great dilemma: when and how to introduce children to technology. When is too young or too much? Technology is a topic that requires careful and conscious consideration. Different ages imply different forms of interaction with technology and its impact on child development.
These are the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), associated with the introduction of technology into children’s lives:
0 to 2 years of age:
Very limited and supervised. Use should be very limited and only when an adult is present.
2 to 5 years old:
Up to one hour a day and educational content. Use through structured and supervised sessions, encouraging interaction.
6 to 9 years old:
Up to 1 to 1.5 hours of educational and recreational content. Set time limits and monitor online interactions.
+ 10 years old:
2 hours a day for schoolwork and recreation. Teach about security and privacy. Encourage responsible use of the device and monitor online content and activities.
Some tips to introduce children to technology safely
Set clear boundaries.
Boundaries with activities such as video games are of high importance. Considering that, in 2022, the World Health Organization has included video game addiction in its classification of diseases. These limits should be age-appropriate, focusing on balancing screen time with other essential activities, such as outdoor play, reading, and in-person social interaction.
Educate about online safety.
Education about children’s internet safety (pornography, Cyberbullying, sexting, grooming, identity theft, etc.) is of vital importance. They should understand the basics such as not sharing personal information, not interacting with strangers online, as well as ways to recognize inappropriate or dangerous content.
Control the content that is consumed.
Use parental controls and content filters to ensure they only access age-appropriate material. Regularly review the apps, games, and websites they use to make sure they are safe and educational. (Google family link – Parental control for your kids, MMGuardian Parental App, Kids360: Parental Control App))
Promote family interaction with technology.
Co-viewing and co-play are practices that allow parents to guide and supervise their children’s experience in the digital world.
Share educational apps with them, play interactive games, and encourage communication about what they’re learning.
Model responsible use of technology
Parents are role models for their children. It is essential that children see their parents using technology in a responsible and balanced way. Limit your own screen time during family time and follow the same rules you’ve set for your kids.
Technology is a tricky thing. We love it and need it to navigate the world in which we live, yet it can be so invasive. It is very important for parents to have insight into what their children are exposed to and have open conversations. It also should not take the place of healthy family interactions. It is part of the reality we live in, but with these tips you can decide what is best for your children.
Rocio E. Gormley is a dedicated Parenting Educator with a passion for working with children and families. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is a certified bilingual facilitator and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling from Bethesda Christian College of Counseling. Rocio has spent several years as a Parenting Educator at Parenting Matters and as a HIPPY Home Visitor with Step Up Suncoast, where she has demonstrated her patience, creativity, and strong people skills. These qualities make her an effective communicator and a valuable team player.
In addition to her work in parenting education, Rocio has over two decades of experience in pastoral care and counseling, serving as co-pastor at Iglesia Palabra de Fe Spanish Church in Sarasota. There, she fulfills both pastoral and administrative duties, alongside providing counseling and pulpit ministry. Married for 33 years with three successful grown children, Rocio is known for her reliability, honesty, and dedication to helping others, both in her professional and personal life.