Toddlers

Do You “Babysit” Your Toddler with Screen Time? (You Are Not Alone)

Written by: Kokotree

Last updated: September 16, 2022

As a parent, it is your job to keep your child safe and healthy.

But let’s face it, sometimes you need a break.

That often means handing them a screen to keep them occupied.

Don’t worry! You’re not alone.

In fact, according to a recent study, 70% of parents use screens as a form of babysitting.

If you’re doing it too, you might as well give them something educational to watch.

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You can’t just hand your child a tablet or TV remote and expect everything to be okay.

Some things can go wrong if you don’t monitor how much screen time they get.

For example:

They could be exposed to inappropriate content.
Most free videos for toddlers are unregulated and harmful to their brain development.
They could see “adult” advertisements.
They could learn bad habits.
They could get addicted to those weird “egg videos.”

With bright, flashy videos, peppy music, and attention-grabbing animation, most of the content on YouTube is focused on entertainment instead of education. Watching such content can permanently harm young developing brains.

Why do people say screen time is bad for toddlers?

Screen time gets a bad rap these days, but the truth is, it’s not all bad. There are some benefits to allowing your kids have controlled screen time.

But you don’t have to let that TV time turn into a screen-induced zombie apocalypse.

Set some rules so that you can still keep your sanity and get some work done.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding how much screen time is too much for toddlers. It depends on the individual child and the quality of the content they are consuming.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that parents limit screen time to one hour per day for children ages 2-5.

“no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting, and says kids ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day.”

The Mayo Clinic suggests:

“Between ages 2 and 5, we would recommend you keep the screen time to one hour or less per day. And in children that are older than 5, we recommend trying to minimize a recreational or enjoyment-related screen time to two hours or less per day.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests:

Infant (less than 1 year of age): Screen time is not recommended. 1-2 years of age: No screen time for a 1-year-old. No more than an hour for 2-year-olds, with less time preferred. 3 to 4 years old: No more than one hour.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends:

“Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town). Between 18 and 24 months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver. For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days. For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.”

Of course, it’s important to remember that screen time should never replace other essential activities like sleep, physical activity, and social interaction. Screens should be used in moderation and as part of a well-rounded routine with plenty of other activities.

So what does this all mean for you as a parent?

It means that if you let your kids have screen time, you might as well make it count by choosing educational content that will benefit them in the long run.

We know how hard it is to find content that both entertains your kids and helps them learn something new.

That’s why we created Kokotree. It’s an app that gives kids educational videos and stories while teaching them in an age-appropriate way.

What is Kokotree?

learning app for toddlers smart screen time

Kokotree is an learning app for toddlers that helps your child learn basic academic concepts like numbers, shapes, colors, the alphabet, and more.

Who is it for?

Kokotree for kids ages 1 to 5. It’s perfect for busy parents who want to give their toddler or preschooler a head start on their education.

How does it work?

Instead of passively watching cartoons, your child will be engaged in active, smart screen time—through educational videos that improve their cognitive development.

With Kokotree, your child will learn:

Listening skills and curiosity.
Imagination, creativity, and sense of humor.
Numbers, letters, and the alphabet.
Colors, counting, rhyming, and memory.
Days of the week, months of the year.
Sounds, emotions, patterns.
And more.

Kokotree is available for download on all major platforms and devices.

You can even use the app on multiple devices at once, so your child has access wherever they are—in case they need some educational entertainment while waiting at the doctor’s office or even during your occasional dinner at a restaurant.

And the best part is that they won’t even realize they’re learning—because they’ll be entertained and having fun!

What is Controlled Screentime?

If you’re going to use technology to babysit your toddler, here are a few tips on how to do it effectively.

1. Choose age-appropriate, educational content.

There is a wide range of content available for kids, and it can be hard to know what is appropriate for your child’s age.

A good rule of thumb is to look for content that is both educational and entertaining.

2. Set screen time limits.

Since screen time can be beneficial, it should NOT be unlimited. You still want your child to have plenty of time to explore the world around them and interact with other people (including you!).

Set some limits on how much screen time your child can have each day, and stick to those limits as best as possible.

3. Use it as an opportunity to educate your child.

Even though you’re using technology to babysit your toddler, that doesn’t mean you can’t get still bond with them while they’re watching their show or playing their game. Make it educational. Your child will thank you later in life.

Talk to them about what they see on the screen
Ask them questions about the characters or the plot
Sing with them
Point out interesting things in the videos
Use it as an opportunity to connect with them even if you’re busy doing other things

Screen time can be beneficial for toddlers …

… as long as high-quality and educational content is consumed in moderation.

It’s up to you to decide how much screen time your child should have. But if you allow them some screen time, why not make it count by choosing educational content that will benefit them in the long run?

There are tons of great educational videos in our Kokotree app that can help your child learn everything from numbers and shapes to the ABCs.

So go ahead and give them some controlled screen time—you might be surprised at how much they learn in the process!