From Experimac
Using electronic devices should be a positive and fun experience for all of the members of your family. However, it is important to understand that exposure to digital media should be limited for children. Not sure what those limitations should be? Take a look at the tips we have listed below.
Screen Time Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosted a national conference where close to 10,000 pediatricians gathered to discuss the effects electronic devices have on children. When it comes to digital media exposure, children are at risk of several detrimental effects including: damages from extended screen time, exposure to inappropriate material and even cyberbullying. The AAP found that the following guidelines should be followed when determining digital media exposure:
- Under 18 months – Infants should not be exposed at all.
- 2-5 years old – Should be limited to one hour per day.
- 6 years old and older – Parent discretion should be used to determine the duration as well as the content the child is exposed to online. However, originally, doctors claimed over two hours of exposure a day could be damaging.
Monitoring the time your children spend on the Internet is vital to their health and well-being biologically, as well as for their emotional well-being. With older children, the concern regarding digital media exposure is more about the material they may be exposed to. Sometimes, it can be tough to moderate their online choices. It’s important to establish trust in your child; however, keeping your children happy and safe online works best when you can maintain honesty in addition to some basic levels of protection.
Appropriate Parental Controls are Important
Parental controls may be a good option for your family if you are worried about they are exposed to online. These controls are designed to protect your children as the Internet can be a very dangerous place if not moderated. From child predators to sensitive and inappropriate information, parental controls are designed to protect your children from the dark corners of the Internet.
There is a great variety of parental controls available. There are some designed for specific ages and operating systems, and there are also more specific parental controls designed for targeted ages and purposes. Parental controls can be set up on your smart phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices.
Curious about what parental control options would be the best fit for your family’s needs? Call your local Experimac to find out more or stop by and we’ll be glad to discuss the best options for your family.
Business hours are Monday – Sunday 10 AM – 8 PM. Experimac is located at 1865-106 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
