This document provides guidelines for parents on introducing children to digital devices and smartphones. It recommends no access to electronic devices before age 2, as unstructured play and human interaction are important for brain development. It suggests following the "1-in-4 rule", where for every year a child ages they get 1 additional hour of screen time per day. It also notes risks of heavy media usage under age 2 including language development issues. The document provides age-based suggestions for access to tablets, smartphones, and cell phones, as well as tips on monitoring usage and having discussions about responsible online behavior.

1. You want your child to have all the resources in the world.
But will handheld devices harm or help their development?
Here’s some general guidelines:
ASMARTPHONE
When Should I Buy My Child
(or Tablet?)
The Guide to...

2. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use for children under 2
The brain develops better through unstructured
playtime and human interaction.
Early studies indicate children
with heavy media usage under 2
are at risk for language
development issues.
NOACCESSTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES BEFORE 2YEARS OLD
— why?
BCA

3. THE 1-IN-4 RULE:
Allow your child one more hour of access to media every four years.
6 YEARS OLD
2 hours
10 YEARS OLD
3 hours
2 YEARS OLD
1 hour
GRANTINGACCESSTOMEDIA
One Step At A Time

4. Age 13-17
Can have their
own smartphone.
Smartphone use
should be
monitored, but less
and less over time.
70%
of teens use smartphones.
Age 10-12
Can have their
own cell phone.
Cell phone use
should be strictly
monitored.
The average child is 12.1 years old
child when they receive their first
cell phone
Age 6-9
Can have their
own iPad or tablet.
Tablet use should
be strictly
monitored.
Of children 8 years and younger...
26%
use tablets.
21%
use smartphones.
Age 2-5
Limited use of
digital devices.
Exposure to
educational media
aimed at
development.
On average children start using the
internet at age 3.

5. THE 20-20-20 RULERegardless of ANY age, when you’re using media, every 20 minutes,
spend 20 seconds looking at something at least 20 feet away.

6. Every child is unique. Ask yourself these questions to
determine if your child needs a cell phone:
HOWTODECIDEWHENIS
RIGHTFORYOURCHILD
Have you set limits for digital device use,
and does your child understand and
respect these limits?
Does your child need a phone to stay in
contact with you in case of an emergency?
Can they be trusted not to use the phone
during inappropriate times, like class?
Have you given them the “sext” talk?

7. The “sext” talk isn’t about just sexting. It’s about laying the foundation for
responsible smartphone behavior. The talk should cover…
DON’T WAIT
— you might chose to wait to give your child their
own device, but open communication can never
come too early!
You can start the “sext” talk as early as 6-8 years old.
Who is safe to communicate with: people
they know in the real world.
What content
they share: only
things they would
want Grandma to
see!
Where they can
go online: apps that
you, the parent, have
approved.
When they see
bullying or inappropriate
material: always report it
to an adult!
Why you are
doing this: to keep
them safe!

8. http://www2.aap.org/pressroom/mediaunder2.pdf
http://www.growingwireless.com/get-the-facts/quick-facts
http://www.teensafe.com/blog/infographic/teensafe-parenting-guide-tech-safety/
http://www.cnet.com/news/smartphones-commandeer-70-percent-of-teen-market/
http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/article-when-introduce-child-smartphone-tablet.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10029180/Children-using-internet-from-age-of-three-study-finds.html
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/leading_from_the_classroom/2011/11/what_age_should_children_start_using_ipads_education_apps_and_technology.html
SOURCES
TOLEARNMOREABOUTINTRODUCINGYOURCHILDTO
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