In today's digital age, children are growing up surrounded by technology. Screens are everywhere, and they're here to stay. For parents, teachers, and caregivers, this can feel like riding a rollercoaster. How can we ensure that screen time is a fun yet positive experience for our kids? How can we turn digital play into something safe, beneficial, and responsible? This guide will help you navigate the digital landscape with confidence, making sure that screen time boosts learning and development while keeping things safe and balanced.

Digital play refers to any play activity that involves digital technology. This can include a wide range of activities, such as playing video games, using educational apps, watching videos, or interacting with digital toys. It's important to recognize that digital play is not inherently bad; it can offer numerous benefits when used appropriately.

Making Screen Time Beneficial

Not all screen time is created equal! Here’s how to make digital play both fun and beneficial:

1. Choose High-Quality Content: Pick apps, games, and shows that are educational and interactive. Look for content that sparks problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
2. Engage Together: Dive into screen activities with your child. Watching and playing together can turn screen time into an opportunity for bonding and learning. Chat about what you see and do, ask questions, and connect the content to real-life experiences.
3. Set Clear Boundaries: Make rules about when and where screens can be used. Create screen-free zones, like bedrooms and dining areas, to encourage other activities and family interactions.
4. Model Healthy Habits: Kids learn by watching you! Show them balanced and mindful use of digital devices. Let them see that screens are tools, not toys, and prioritize face-to-face interactions.

Addressing Parental Concerns

We get it—parents worry about how screen time affects their kids’ health and development. Let’s tackle these concerns head-on with some simple tips:

• Sleep Tight: Too much screen time, especially before bed, can mess with sleep. Encourage a bedtime routine that includes screen-free time before hitting the hay.
• Social Butterflies: Little ones learn best through direct interactions with caregivers and friends. Make sure screen time doesn’t replace valuable face-to-face communication.
• Stay Active: Balance screen activities with plenty of physical play. Encourage breaks and active playtime to support overall health and development.

Leveraging Digital Play for Learning

Digital play can be a goldmine for learning! Here’s how to make the most of digital tools for educational purposes:

• Interactive Learning Apps: Use educational apps that boost literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. Interactive apps that need active participation can be more engaging and beneficial than just watching videos.
• Creative Expression and Active Participation: Encourage your child to use digital tools for creative activities like drawing, making music, and storytelling. Choose interactive games and activities that require thinking and problem-solving rather than passive consumption like watching videos
• Connection with Real-World Activities: Find ways to connect what your child is doing digitally with real-world experiences. For example, if they enjoy building virtual structures in a game, encourage them to build something with blocks.

A Healthy Balance of Screen Time with Physical Activity

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2019) also recommends that kids under two should have no screen time, and those aged two to five should have no more than one hour per day. The secret sauce to healthy screen use is balance. Mix screen time with plenty of physical activity and other kinds of play. Fun activities like reading, storytelling, puzzles, and games can provide rich experiences that help develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, language, and social-emotional skills.

Supporting Parents, Educators, and Caregivers

Supporting children in their digital play requires a collaborative effort between parents, educators, and caregivers. Here are some tips to help you work together effectively:

1. Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open between parents, teachers, and caregivers. Share information about what digital tools and activities children are using and discuss any concerns or observations​​.
2. Provide Guidance and Support: Offer guidance on choosing appropriate digital content and setting boundaries for screen time. Support each other in reinforcing these guidelines at home and in educational settings​.
3. Stay Informed: Stay up to date with the latest research and trends in digital play. Attend workshops, read articles, and participate in discussions to ensure you are informed about the benefits and risks associated with digital play​​.

Special Considerations for Young Children

For the tiniest tots, screen time needs to be handled with extra care. Research shows that young children learn best through hands-on experiences and interactions with their caregivers. Here’s some advice for this age group:

Guidelines for Infants (0-18 months)

1. Avoid Screen Time: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time for infants, except for video chatting with family members, which can be beneficial for social development.
2. Focus on Real-World Interactions: At this stage, the most important interactions are those that happen in the real world. Engaging in face-to-face play, talking, singing, and reading to your infant are vital for their development.

Guidelines for Toddlers (18-24 months)

1. Introduce High-Quality Digital Content: If you choose to introduce screen time, ensure it is high-quality, educational content. Apps and programs should be interactive and encourage participation.
2. Co-View and Co-Play: Watch and play with your child to help them understand what they are seeing and doing. This co-engagement can enhance learning and make the experience more meaningful.

Guidelines for Preschoolers (2-5 years)

1. Limit Screen Time: Limit screen time to no more than one hour per day of high-quality programming. Ensure that digital play does not replace physical activity, sleep, or other important activities.
2. Choose Educational and Interactive Content: Select apps and games that are educational and promote active engagement. Avoid passive consumption like non-interactive videos.
3. Encourage Creative and Active Play: Choose digital activities that encourage creativity, such as drawing apps, music creation, and storytelling games. Balance screen time with plenty of physical play and outdoor activities.
4. Discuss Digital Content: Talk to your child about what they are doing and learning from digital play. Ask questions and encourage them to think critically about the content.

To sum up: Informed choices help promote positive outcomes in digital play

By engaging with your kids, choosing high-quality content, setting clear boundaries, and modelling healthy habits, you can ensure that digital play enhances learning and development while keeping things safe and balanced.

References

Scott, F. L. (2021). Digital Technology and Play in Early Childhood. The School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Sheffield. Retrieved from https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pdf/expert/technology-early-childhood-education/according-experts/digital-technology-and-play-early-childhood

UNICEF. (2022). Digital technology and play: Implications for child well-being. Retrieved from /mnt/data/UNICEF-RITEC-Digital-technology-play-child-wellbeing-2022.pdf.

UNICEF. (2024). Rights of the child and digital technology: Towards a comprehensive approach. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/8056/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-RITEC-P2-report-2024.pdf.pdf

UNICEF, International Step by Step Association. (2023). Heatly weight: physical activity and sedentary time. Module 20. Supporting Families for Nururing Care. Retrieved from: https://www.issa.nl/Module-20-healthy-weight-physical-activity-and-sedentary-time

World Health Organization (2019). To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more

In partnership with LEGO Foundation and UNICEF, ISSA is committed to protecting children's right to play. Together, we are supporting parents and caregivers to engage in Playful Parenting.