Talking Back to Facebook by James P. Steyer

Author:James P. Steyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scribner

What Parents Want to Know

1. How young can my baby be to start using electronic games, apps, and e-books?

These products may seem educational and fun, but they all have screens. So I would take the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and discourage TV and video watching for kids under two—and I’d also minimize all other forms of digital screen time.

Watching a TV, smartphone, video game, or computer screen has no benefits whatsoever for babies. Research shows that tots don’t learn anything from screen media, and it may even slow their learning. 5 At the very least, it distracts them from the three-dimensional exploration, movement, play, and interactive activities that really build their brains. 6

Still, I’m a realist, and I know that babies live in a digital world. They’re surrounded by screens; 20 percent of infants already have TVs in their own bedrooms—something that I’d strongly advise against. 7 It’s probably unrealistic to expect that babies will never spend any time watching a screen, but it’s best to keep that screen time as short as possible. If you want to introduce your baby to an infant-oriented video game, app, or e-book, I’d look at it as another opportunity to interact. Cuddle up with your baby and read her an e-book or play with an infant app or electronic game together for a few minutes. In small doses, digital activities can be entertaining ways to help your baby learn new things—from you.

2. What specific types of programs are good for kids this age?

Reading to your child, in any format, is always great. A slow-paced e-book designed just for infants can be a good choice, especially if you turn off the narration and read it to your child in your own voice—pointing to pictures, repeating words, and asking your baby questions as you go along. Your infant can’t see colors or follow a story line, but she loves the sound of your voice and the touch of your skin. The key is to pick an activity where you set the pace and engage with your child. Instead of focusing on a screen or machine, your baby’s focused on you.

In general, though, the best choices for kids this age don’t involve batteries or screens. Babies and toddlers learn by interacting with real people and by moving, manipulating objects, exploring, and doing. 8 They’re the original mobile devices, and reaching, grasping, playing, and mimicking you is the best program for learning and growth—no batteries needed. In fact, if you want to boost your baby’s brain power, the smartest approach is surprisingly old-school. Playing with blocks, it turns out, has been linked scientifically with high language scores. So turn off the gadgets and bring out a set of blocks to help your baby build the foundation for a strong head start. 9

3. Is digital media helpful for a child this young?

Though marketers aggressively target parents who want to give their babies an edge, all the latest studies suggest that digital media is not helpful in any way for kids under two.

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