Did You Know? Technology Can Have A Positive Influence On Family

5 Ways Screen Time Can Benefit Children and Families

By Courtney Nugent and Lauren Supplee

They’re everywhere. At home, in restaurants and parks, on the subway—wherever you look, you’re likely to see parents and young children interacting with digital media on smartphones or tablets. At least 38 percent of children under age two and 80 percent of two- to four-year-olds have used a mobile media device. While it may appear that digital media isolates family members from one another, can it (when used appropriately) also bring families together? Here are five ways that it can:

1. Certain kinds of digital tools can support family interactions.

2. It's important to support children's healthy development through co-viewing and co-playing.

3. Parents can choose high-quality digital content for their child's viewing.

4. Like physical tools, digital tools can promote school readiness.

5. Digital tools can support parent and child togetherness.

(This is a brief excerpt (highlight) from the full article in Child Trends)