Limited screen time for young DC

[muminlondon8]

Our DC (6 and 2) have extremely limited screentime. We haven’t got a telly or a tablet. DH and I use our laptops to watch movies or telly in the evening (one programme per night generally). Our oldest is allowed to watch a film on our laptops or on DH’s work computer screen on a weekend (we watch with him, I’d say once every two months or so), or unlimited films if he’s home ill or we’re on a long haul flight. Once in a while we’ll FaceTime with my mum, but I’d say that’s only on a birthday or special occasion. He does watch films at school. The toddler doesnt have any screen time at all.

DS1 regularly brings children from school round and I’m surprised that they all seem to have a tablet and use it daily, and also have computer access and watch telly daily. Among our friends, too, I know many people who suggest particular apps or games on the iPad to help toddlers learn to read, encourage numeracy, etc. I wonder whether we are unusual in having essentially no screen time at home? I reckon they have the rest of their lives to use the technology, and they will get exposure in school, and they both seem quite happy to play for ages without needing the screen, why bother introducing it? Are there other families that don’t have much screentime?

When teen DDs were younger, no, they didn't have much screen time. We didn't have any devices for them and they didn't watch telly in the afternoons. TBH, after we'd been to the park and I'd fed them dinner there wasn't much time. Their childminders didn't use screens either. I think that was true for a lot of other DCs in our village but this is a Brigadoon bubble where children only acquire (hand-me-down) phones in year 6.

Does your older child not use computers/screens at school? My 5 year old has a computing lesson once a week, plus does coding after school and they also use educational apps during the school day. Plus they often watch alphablocks at the end of the day on TV!

This feels like a stealth boast and terribly judgemental on those that do use screens.

Yes, they do have a touchscreen board at school, but no tablets. and no coding or computer lessons yet.

No it doesn’t. At all. She’s asking a question and you can answer or not but if you feel she’s judging that’s projection. The screen fans are always more defensive than the non screen fans are judgy.

OP, I know plenty of people who don’t let very young ones on screens. You’re right, they get plenty at school and for the rest of their lives. No child needs a screen to teach them how to read, it’s ridiculous.

I'd say it's unusual, but in a good way. I wouldn't worry about them not picking it up later which often gets parroted as a justification for screen time, we all manage to be addicted to it despite not having smartphones etc as kids.

We definitely have more than that here, not sure how I'd get long unruly preschooler hair sorted otherwise! But no tablets, mealtimes, out and about that seems very common.