For children who want smartphones, watches and other connected gadgets this holiday season, parents might need to answer some tough questions before they buy.
Experts say there’s no magic age for a device, and parents should give with intention -- and guardrails.
“Any technology device that you give a kid should have a specific purpose in mind, especially in the earliest stages,” pediatrician Dr. Natasha Burgert said.
Burgert said young children who get too much screen time too soon might not have time to develop crucial social and motor skills.
“If they are spending hours a day just with a piece of glass that they are swiping, they are not able to develop those skills,” Burgert warned.
Burgert said she’s also noticed some adolescents with unchecked screen time who struggle with mental health.
That’s one reason Mitch Prinstein, chief science officer for the American Psychological Association, said parents should set guardrails, especially around a child’s first device.
“Slowly give them access to different features, functions, maybe turn on and off parental controls and talk with them as they’re getting used to the device,” Prinstein said.
Since most parents didn’t grow up with technology to the same extent, Prinstein said they can actually learn from open conversations with their kids.
“What we probably need to do is rather than turn away from it is to ask our kids to bring us in and say, ‘Show me what you’re doing. What are you watching? Tell me about this platform and this app. Help me make sense of what you’re seeing and why it’s so appealing,’” Prinstein said.
And well-meaning aunts, uncles, and more who want to fulfill a child or teen’s tech wish list should check with parents before giving that gift.