Physicians, teachers and psychologists commonly agree that excessive use of computers, smartphones or social media can harm a child’s developing mind and body. A recent article in JAMA Pediatrics linked high amounts of screen exposure to delays in later developmental milestones. Other research has associated heavy digital use with an increased risk of adolescent depression, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidance recommending daily screen-time limits tailored to different age groups.
“It’s the responsibility of parents to take control of screen use and guide their children, from an early age, about the benefits and costs of digital media,” says Christine Kyriakakos Martin, an early education expert and author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. “Parents sometimes assume an iPad or smartphone is an acceptable babysitter for toddlers, but the interactive or passive content those devices provide is not always the type of learning children need at each developmental stage.”
Martin offers practical, research-aligned strategies parents can use to manage screen time and reduce risks to their child’s health and development. These approaches emphasize boundaries, engagement and real-world experiences that support language, social skills and physical activity.
Distinguish screen time from play time.
Play is the essential way young children learn. Screens should not simply replace play or be treated as toys. By limiting screen use and clearly separating it from other forms of play, parents model healthy boundaries and encourage imagination, active exploration and independent problem-solving. When screen sessions are short, purposeful and complemented by hands-on activities, children benefit more from both kinds of experiences.
Parental involvement with on-screen content transforms passive consumption into a learning opportunity. Talking with children about what they watch or the games they play—just as one discusses characters and plotlines in a book—boosts vocabulary, comprehension and family communication. Co-viewing and asking questions about digital content supports critical thinking and helps children learn to navigate media responsibly.
Make mealtimes screen-free.
Remove screens from the dinner table and public dining settings. While it may be tempting to use devices to occupy children so adults can talk or relax, allowing screens during meals reduces opportunities for teaching manners, listening skills and face-to-face conversation. Mealtime is an ideal daily ritual for family connection: shared meals build routines, reinforce social skills and give parents a chance to model respectful listening and turn-taking.
Set a good example.
Children learn from observing their caregivers. If parents frequently focus on phones or tablets, children will likely mimic that behavior and expect digital devices to be the default for downtime. Making a conscious effort to limit adult screen use—saving social media for breaks or times when children are not present—demonstrates the balance parents want their children to adopt. Prioritizing in-person interaction, play and conversation shows that relationships and real-world experiences matter more than constant connectivity.
Practical steps that work for many families include creating predictable screen-free periods (for example, during meals, before bedtime, and during dedicated family or play time), choosing high-quality, age-appropriate content when screens are used, and offering appealing non-digital alternatives such as outdoor play, books, creative art materials and social activities with peers.
Parents can also set clear, consistent rules about where and when devices are allowed, involve older children in setting reasonable limits, and use parental controls to help enforce boundaries. The goal is not to eliminate technology—digital tools can support learning and social connection—but to use them intentionally so they complement rather than replace essential developmental experiences.
“Learning how to use screens thoughtfully, while also developing verbal and social skills through play and conversation, supports language development, healthy relationships and overall wellbeing,” Martin says. “Young children need time with their parents and rich, hands-on learning opportunities more than extended periods in front of a screen.”
About Christine Kyriakakos Martin
Christine Kyriakakos Martin is the author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. An early education expert and consultant, Martin is the founder and owner of Sunshine Preschool in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. She speaks regularly on child-development topics at education conferences and colleges and works directly with families and educators to promote developmentally appropriate practices and strong parent-child relationships.