To allow Screens or no to Screen?

[BoyMummyCambs]

I'm feeling pressure from peers on the subject of screens for my son. Surely its up to your personal circumstances?

Do what is right for you!

Yes. You know your child, what social media they have on the screen, if any, whether they make sensible choices to put screens down at x time and whether you have a routine with them. If you think they're getting too much screen time, dial it back a bit - get the child doing something else with you instead.

Some nights im so tired from working, I give my son his ipad at bedtime to read a story to him.

I have parent friends on opposite sides on this - some relaxed about kids on screens, others vehemently against. As a detached observer, who does a fair bit of childcare, the ones without screens are way better behaved, happier and much more fun to look after.

Screen time is not the devil as long as managed or boundaries are in place.
How old is he?

well, that is not great, the whole point of a bed time story is to share it together, model pleasure from books and reading, discuss the story and the pictures, cuddle, give an opportunity for discussion about worries, or happy moments.

Please don't delegate these crucial bonding times to an electronic babysitter. There is no comparison between a machine, and a responsive, two way conversation with a parent

7 years old. I believe in variety and do read to him some nights, just not all and let the Ipad do it for me.

They also develop far better communication skills, emotional awareness and understanding of the world around them with less screen time.

I think you should read to him every night - the shared bedtime story is basic parenting 101

I don’t think a certain amount of screen time is an issue if they are watching age appropriate things and not mindless watching of YouTube etc

I don’t think I’d use it for a bedtime story though. Unless you are actually asleep you must be able to read a short story. Get him to read every other page? As he’s 7 he’ll be able to help :)

An audio book, never YouTube.

iPads are not iBabysitters, screen time should be at a minimum and not a default option. The developmental impact is yet to be seen but I would say it’s not going to be great so try to interact with your child yourself more often.

My mum used to have stories read to us via our CD player or she’d put a tape on via our cassette player. I don’t think that’s any different than having an audiobook read to your child via an iPad tbh

Ok lots of thoughts here to consider.

I don’t think it’s terrible if he’s listening and not watching. And you’re not using it every night.

I guess the importance is word formation? Its not every night, just 3 out of 7.

How old is he? My 7yo doesn't have an iPad or phone, she does watch telly for about an hour a day though. My 15yo niece was given a phone for her 11th birthday which I think is about right.

my dd was told to pick up audiobooks for her 8 yr old son to listen to this summer. the teacher said they are great at helping improve vocabulary, story telling and sentence formation.