Last night we gathered with our followers on Twitter to talk about “The App Divide: Screen Time and Our Kids.”  Like many of you, we read the NY Times piece on this topic, amongst many others, titled “Screen Time Higher Than Ever for Children Study Finds”.  It talked about the results of a study conducted by Common Sense Media that came up with new findings regarding children and their use of screen time.

The report found that:

- Children under 8 are spending more time than ever in front of screens

- There is an emerging “app gap” in which affluent children are likely to use mobile educational games while those in low-income families are the most likely to have televisions in their bedrooms.

- Almost half the families with incomes above $75,000 had downloaded apps specifically for their young children, compared with one in eight of the families earning less than $30,000.

- Half of children in the study under 8 had access to a mobile device like a smartphone, a video iPod, or an iPad or other tablet.

- The report found that despite more than a decade of warnings from the American Academy of Pediatrics that screen time offers no benefits for children under 2.

As a digital media company, we find the whole report fascinating and we wanted to talk about it.  So, we gathered our friends, @momtodanielle, thechattymomma,@davidbfox and @huppiemama to help guide the discussion.

Here are some of the things people had to say about the topic:

About the amount of time kids are spending with screen time:

IrishRed02: my children spend about 1 hour in front of a screen a day and maybe 30mins in front of a diff screen like ipad or iphone

iPad_storytime: I believe that all screens are not created equal & some screen time is more ‘nutritious’ 4 kids than others

lmmccollister: We limit time, they need to spend time playing outside also. We think we raise very rounded children!!

momtodanielle:  My daughter enjoys playing with my iPad.She is in first grade,learning how to read. I choose educational apps.

Alex_Marichal: I don’t think strictly limiting screen time helps; just places more value on it; should be an understanding of moderation.

About the App Gap:

HC_Lawrence: The pricing is not the problem it’s access to the tablets. But perhaps libraries can fill that gap inhouse.

RuthSpiro: Library funding is being cut way back, many can’t even buy new books.

reneereads: its a little like when computers first came into our homes, great digital divide then too.

Michael_Parsons: I think it has to do with surroundings and possibilities honestly I’m sure is comparable 2 other educational means.

lynleystace: I used to think I’d never let my kid have a TV in her room, but can watch TV on mobile devices, so harder to stop it now.

libraryvoice: We worried abt kids spending too much time consuming junk on TV. Then came Sesame Street. It’s all how you use the tool.

iPad_storytime: I predict that in the long-term, access to tablets will bring digital books to kids who aren’t reading at all now.

On calling the IOS device a babysitter:

lynleystace: I think the word ‘babysitting’ when used in regards to technology can have unfortunate connotations.

beeacutie2: So true and it has helped me on the airplane, but that was all, I could not let him just stare at it all day!

TheChattyMomma: The honest answer is everyone who has kids playing w/smartphones uses them as babysitters. Yeah, I said it!

HuppieMama: Children want to be little mommies & daddies. They observe closely and imitate.

HC_Lawrence: It’s not a babysitter no more than a book is one unless it’s mindless. Lot of good educational apps and books available.

On what age is appropriate to buy IOS devices for children:

lynleystace: My daughter was 2 when she started using an iPad. TBH, she doesn’t like it all that much.

mistisikes: My 3 yr old uses a computer– usually learning games, websites like Starfall.

HuppieMama: I was actually surprised to see that the new kids tablets are ages 4+. Seem appropriate for 2+.

mistisikes: Kids have no fear with technology… It has always been part of their world.

momtodanielle: Am I the only one that feels that today’s technology is mind blowing?

On the benefits of iPads to children:

petritiasylves: creativity and imagination.

mellanhead: educational, there are alot of apps to help with counting, math and such.

TheChattyMomma: Kids hand eye coordination, comprehension, language skills, and thinking skills are improved w/apps!

lynleystace: It’s hard to know the exact benefits of apps, though I suspect there are many. We need more formal studies.

CuteMonsterDad: An intuitive interface which allows easy navigation and motor skill development.

On whether people use the library to check out apps:

libraryvoice: I think that’s a real opportunity for public libraries to play a role.

HuppieMama: Instead of learning to read at the library, they are learning to read thru computers, iPads, smart phones.

IrishRed02: that would be great if libraries would start renting or allowing use of tablets.

RuthSpiro: Library funding is being cut way back, many can’t even buy new books.

Stay tuned to news about our next Twitter party scheduled for December 6th with our friends at St. Jude about raising an altruistic child.