Posted: January 11, 2017
Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated recommendations for the use of technology with young children from birth to five years of age. The changes reflect the understanding that technology is everywhere, and that appropriate uses of certain types of technology can be useful in learning and relationship building in young children.
Research on technology and its impact on young children is still quite limited. As a result, AAP continues to offer cautionary guidance in the ways that technology should be used with this age group. There remain concerns regarding excessive use of technology during the preschool years and its association with obesity, attributed mainly to exposure to advertising of unhealthy foods and increased snacking during TV time. Other concerns for children, including infants, revolve around technology's effects on sleep and child development.
Recommendations for infants and toddlers
For infants under the age of eighteen months, AAP recommends that technology use be limited to video chatting such as Skype or Facetime since this encourages social connection and relationship building with family who are not nearby. Infants and toddlers need nurturing, hands-on exploration and social interaction to build their cognitive, motor, and social-emotional skills.
From eighteen months to twenty-four months, children may be able to build some language skills through interactive touchscreens, but it is key that the caregiver be present and engaged in the process. Families and caregivers should choose quality products when engaging in technology use with children, such as those found through Common Sense Media, PBS Kids and Sesame Workshop.
Recommendations for children two to five years of age
To preserve balance with other activities, AAP continues to recommend limiting media use to one hour in any day for this age group. Parents and caregivers should be engaged in high quality media with the children during use. TVs and other media should not be used as "background noise" and should be turned off when children are present and not engaged with the adult during use.
Monitor children's media and avoid interacting with media within one hour of bedtime. It is also recommended that bedrooms and mealtimes be deemed media-free. Children continue to need interactive playtime with their caregivers that does not include media use. Balance is key.
What is appropriate technology use?
In anticipation of the revised AAP recommendations, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a joint brief to clarify what appropriate use of technology with young children means. They identified four guiding principles for use of technology with early learners:
- Technology, when used appropriately, can be a tool for learning. Developmental appropriateness can be determined based on content, context (it encourages social interaction and complements learning), and consideration of the individual child's learning needs.
- Technology should be used to increase access to learning opportunities for all children. For example, exposure to other cultures and enhancement of STEM when paired with social interactions and guidance from caregivers.
- Technology may be used to strengthen relationships among parents, families, early educators, and young children. Use technology to strengthen relationships through video chat and to support connections between home and school.
- Technology is more effective for learning when adults and peers interact or co-view with young children. Children's learning is significantly enhanced when caregivers engage with them.
For more specific information about appropriate use of technology in the early care and education setting view the entire brief.
References
Radesky, J., and D. Christakis. 2016. "Media and Young Minds: Council on Communications and Media." Pediatrics 138(5). Accessed 12/2016.
