The latest guidelines released by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) call for kids below 18 months to have no screen time at all. Kids from 18 months to seven years-old should stick to an hour of screen time each day, maximum.

It might seem like a very short period of time, but Ms Carol Loi, founder and principal consultant at digital literacy education company Village Consultancy, explains why. Children learn social skills better in the offline world. “Very young children thrive on what is called ‘serve and return’ interactions. They learn tremendously from observing and exchanging eye contact, verbal cues and body language with the adults around them.”

It’s not just about the amount of time that children spend on their screens. It also matters what children do on their screens. For toddlers, Dr Kervin recommends that all interactions with technology should be in the context of human interaction – like a video call with a significant person like a relative or friend. She notes, “Technology can help serve as a reminder of important people and experiences. For example, looking at photos can help a child recall memories of experiences and people. In this way, technology encourages conversation and interaction.”

When your child reaches pre-schooling age, Dr Kervin encourages making use of technology to support their curiosity and learning. “A child who has a particular interest in a topic – for example dinosaurs or cars – may find it interesting to research these on the Internet. Apps can offer opportunities for children to do things that may not otherwise be possible, like drive a train or be a hairdresser.”

Her belief is that technology, when used well, can add to a child’s learning and growth instead of taking away from it. 

It’s difficult to recommend the use of specific applications, given how quickly new apps are released. Instead, Dr Kervin’s team has developed a list parents can use to make decisions about apps their children use. Ask yourself;

• Does the app enable my child to use their imagination?
• Does the app do different things in the play (not just the same sequence of activities on repeat)?
• Does the app motivate my child to learn something new?
• Is there opportunity to have fun?
• Does my child get to play without extrinsic motivation? (In other words, can they enjoy the game for itself? Or are they being driven to escape punishment in the game or get a reward, like in-game credits?)
• What new experiences are offered in the app?
• Does the app provide pretend situations for my child to act in?
• Is the play risk-free?
• What choices do my child get to make?
• Does the app offer my child the opportunity to interact and collaborate with others?
• Does the app connect with off-screen play?

If you’re not sure what apps your child is using, Protect Young Eyes gives explanations about social media, photo, gaming, and video apps that children commonly use today so you have a better idea of what your kids are using. 

The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends parents watch streaming media with their children. Ms Loi explains that this is because young children often do not fully make sense of emotionally-complicated stories. Watching along with them lets you help your child understand what they are watching and how they can apply it to the world around them. 

But what if you are too busy to spend all day watching tv shows? “Build a transparent viewing culture,” says Ms Loi. “ Encourage your children to watch media content in the open – in common spaces such as the living room instead of their bedrooms or study rooms. That way you can hear what the children are watching, even if you can’t sit down with them to watch together.”

It can also be helpful to assess the show beforehand. Sites like Common Sense Media take a closer look at movies, TV, apps, and games to rate them for educational value, violence, sexual content, smoking and alcohol. Kids-in-Mind also does something similar, going as far as to detail all the scenes that might be of concern to parents. 

When it comes to regulating children’s screen time, it can be – and it often is – a struggle. If your child has a smartphone they can stream movies, TV and games when you are not around. How would you know?.

It can be more effective to help your child learn time management skills from a young age. Ms Loi shares, “Provide guidance to help your children plan their time and make choices on screen usage in healthy ways. Starting from a very young age, parents can develop a checklist of what needs to be done, and involve the children in planning their day.” 

When children grow older, they can slowly take more responsibility for coming up with their own checklists, and how they spend their time, and review this with their parents. 

“Helping children learn time management skills gives them opportunities to learn to take ownership of their choices. But this approach works best when the parent-child relationship is strong. The parent is able to get stronger buy-in from the child when they explain media boundaries at home,” Ms Loi notes. 

Above all, trust your instincts as a parent. You know your child best. As Dr Kervin says, “I think it’s important to trust your knowledge of your children. Seek opportunities – actual and digital – that support their interests, their needs, and your family.”

Read Next

6 Life Lessons To Teach Your Daughter Before She Becomes A Teenager

12 Best Hiking Trails And Nature Parks In Singapore For Young Kids

8 Animal Causes In Singapore To Volunteer With Your Children