PARENTING

As a Retired Librarian Who Loves to Read Books, I’m All for Giving Kids Screen-time

Here’s Why

Photo by Emily Wade on Unsplash

My favorite six-year-old and a friend were on the playground. After an hour of running around and playing, the two of them ended up sitting together on the top of a climbing toy and having a rest.

I, of course, was nearby, keeping an eye on them.

This is what a happy childhood looks like, I thought. Playing outdoors, in the sunshine, on a lovely day, with a good pal. It doesn’t get better than this.

Then Josh spoke. “I miss my IPad,” he said to Alexa.

“I miss my IPad too,” she said.

I hadn’t expected that. But it shouldn’t have surprised me.

Both six-year-olds have their own IPads, housed in sturdy plastic cases, which they watch at every opportunity. The amount of time the kids spend on their IPads varies from day to day but because they both have busy parents and several siblings, it’s inevitable that they get to enjoy plenty of content. Both of them spend many hours a week in what Josh’s dad refers to as “IPad Land.”

Their parents, of course, pay close attention to how long they can watch and what they can watch.