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Original poster

To say that reading on a kindle is NOT screen time

47 replies

BlingLoving · 01/02/2022 10:23

This has come up again recently where a parent has expressed concern because her child is choosing to read on a kindle and therefore her "screen time" is going up. I double checked - if the child was reading a regular book, mum would have no issue.

Surely reading is reading? I just find this mind blowing.

I have no issue with people who don't like Kindles and prefer real books. But I can't get my head around the idea that reading on a Kindle doesn't count as "real" reading!? Is it just me?

OP posts:
Queenoftheashes · 01/02/2022 10:24

Yeah reading on a kindle is totally different for me than scrolling my phone. It’s an investment of time whereas looking at Instagram in short bursts is the opposite of engaging your brain. Nah. Yanbu.

allthingsnaice · 01/02/2022 10:26

It seems different, it's not mindless screen scrolling like Tik tok or ahem other sites 😬

However if it's a younger child then are they worried about screen time and eyes?

negomi90 · 01/02/2022 10:27

It depends why it counts as screen time.
Screens because of content - no it doesn't count.
Screens due to eye issues/worries - it depends what type of kindle it is. A proper kindle with the special lighting doesn't count. A kindle fire/phone app/computer app - still have the same headache/eye damage risk.

Chely · 01/02/2022 10:28

It's both

goldfluffyclouds · 01/02/2022 10:30

Depends on the age I think. Too much electronic light for young kids I think does them no good so while I would applaud the wish to read I would prefer them to read from a regular book. Especially if it's just before bedtime.
Also some kindles are much more than just a reader aren't they and I know my kids would be too tempted to 'just check this or that' and before you know it they've been distracted onto YouTube or something else...
But mainly I think soft warm light and a regular book is better for eyes than a screen no matter what devices claim or filters you buy for them...

FruitToast · 01/02/2022 10:33

My DD's kindle fire is limited to 30 minutes a day (and she has to do 15 minutes of TT rockstars first because I'm mean like that). Her 'proper' kindle is unlimited and is in no way counted a screen time. She's often curled up in the corner with either her kindle or an actual book and possibly the only problem is her vocabulary at 6, is so extensive it rivals mine!

GrolliffetheDragon · 01/02/2022 10:33

Kindle Fire or e-ink Kindle? If it's e-ink, it's not screen time at all. If it's a Fire it's a bit different.

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/02/2022 10:33

Agree. Using a kindle is reading.

HumunaHey · 01/02/2022 10:34

@negomi90

It depends why it counts as screen time. Screens because of content - no it doesn't count. Screens due to eye issues/worries - it depends what type of kindle it is. A proper kindle with the special lighting doesn't count. A kindle fire/phone app/computer app - still have the same headache/eye damage risk.
Ditto.
WidowTwonky · 01/02/2022 10:34

It is sceentime, seems obvious

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 01/02/2022 10:37

If reading a book on an e-ink Kindle is screentime, then reading a book on paper is screentime.

HopefulProcrastinator · 01/02/2022 10:38

I'm a bit 50/50

Kindle app on a device/Kindle Fire - I'd be happy my children were reading but reluctant to let them have unlimited reading time.

Actual Kindle or other brand e-reader that really is just a digital book with a couple of tricks up it's sleeve I wouldn't factor in as screen time at all and would happily allow unrestricted access.

I have a Kindle Oasis, reading that for several hours is no different to reading print, beyond the physical sensation of holding a book (which I do miss but don't have the storage space for the books I want to own).

Original poster
BlingLoving · 01/02/2022 10:52

So glad it's mostly not just me! Definitely not counting using a Kindle fire for non-reading activities. I basically mean that reading a book on an electronic device vs reading a book that's paper are the same thing in my view. Potential issues with poor lighting/screen aside - but that's not a "screen time" issue to my mind it's just the 21st century version of my dad yelling at us not to read in poor light or using a torch under the covers!

@FruitToast I am jealous. DD is an excellent reader, reading at the highest level in her class, claims to like reading... almost never chooses to do it for pleasure. Maybe I should get her an actual kindle.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 01/02/2022 10:57

Our school uses bug club for reading, kids use ipad. Iv got screen limits disabled for audio books and library apps. If they want to read on ipad that's fine they arnt allowed diveces an hour before bed. They have normal kindles that arnt back lit they are allowed

PattyPan · 01/02/2022 10:58

Depends on if it’s one with a backlit screen like a tablet imo as they can still disrupt sleep. Same as doing maths problems on a tablet. A paperwhite (?) is less likely to do that as it doesn’t have the blue light.

Bigassbeebuzzbuzz · 01/02/2022 11:11

I would say as long as it was a book they were reading then it doesnt count as screen time. Although I prefer an actual book I have 99% of my books on my kindle to save space.
Same as all your DVDs are now on netflix.
I do wish they would make a kindle that FEELS more like a book though.

Pbbananabagel · 01/02/2022 11:12

Kindle fire = screen time
Normal kindle = just like a normal book

MindyStClaire · 01/02/2022 11:15

I wouldn't be keen on loads of time with a backlit screen, but if it's one of the ones that feels like you're reading a page then it's fine.

CounsellorTroi · 01/02/2022 11:19

Does it count as screen time when I’m on the Kindle or IBOOKS apps on my iPad?

Pbbananabagel · 01/02/2022 11:20

@CounsellorTroi yes

Original poster
BlingLoving · 01/02/2022 11:35

@CounsellorTroi No, I don't think so. It might be that you have to consider how much time to spend using those apps from a eyesight/tiredness perspective, but no, I would NOT consider it the same as screen time myself.

OP posts:
ClaudiaWankleman · 01/02/2022 11:35

If it is backlit then it has some of the downsides of a screen, but doesn't have the mindless scrolling/ 15 second attention span disadvantage that social media does.

If it is non-backlit (do they still do these anymore? I'm using a decade+ old kindle I'm too attached to) then it isn't any different to reading on paper in my opinion.

SlidingInto2022sDMs · 01/02/2022 11:36

If 'screen time' is literally time spent looking at a screen and the worry is about what it does to the eyes, then it doesn't matter what the person is doing. It's screen time.

If 'screen time' is used interchangeably with 'watching what I don't particularly approve of but you have 10 minutes to do so', then it shouldn't be considered 'screen time' since she's doing something 'productive' (assuming she's reading something worth reading).

WonderfulYou · 01/02/2022 11:42

It’s a screen - so of course it’s screen time.

However screen time doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
As long as your eyes are getting a break and they’re still getting fresh air and exercise then it’s fine and of course doing something educational on it is even better.

MyOtherProfile · 01/02/2022 11:45

Mine is a kindle paper white and I definitely don't count it as a screen because it doesn't have bright light or fast movement. It is like reading a book.

To the pp who said they wish kindle feltore like a book, I got a kindle cover for mine and it opens like a book so that helps.