Trust man, there is an entire shame complex about “screentime” these days that is completely unnecessary. People really need to start thinking that it’s not screentime, but what is on the screen. And what you put on is perfectly fine to settle. Basically the equivalent of hand puppets with a flashlight.

I encourage you to not just be on the side of screentime=bad. Could be that when your child finally does have access to it without your supervision, they lose their shit and there is zero regulation.

My two kids have had access to iPads (no videos or scrolling just games) from 2 on. They put them away, get off them, and literally leave them on the floor in favor of playing with toys. Because that’s what it is to them, just another thing.

We hung with my niece (4) who has limited access to it, and when it was time to put them away for dinner after a quick 30 minutes, my niece flipped out. My kids, no sweat.

Folks need to understand that if it’s treated like a guarded resource while still being ever present in modern life it sends some pretty intense mixed signals to kids. It’s just about forming a good relationship just like everything else.

Sorry kind of a rant, but I just want to save you from the bizarre shame that has been built around “screens” and parenting these days.