How do parents control usage when their little ones want to ogle the
tiny screen for hours?

This holiday season, there were surely lots of delighted squeals when someone in the family opened a package containing a new digital mobile device. Quite possibly, those squeals came from toddlers or even babies, who are as mesmerized by the latest technology as their parents and older sibs. Little kids have an uncanny ability to manipulate touch screens…better than their parents in many cases. Programmers are responding with a robust collection of so-called baby apps. All of this begs the question…Is access to mobile interactive technology good for little people?

For many parents, the first rush of pride—see what my baby can do!—gives way to unease and later annoyance, especially when kids clamor constantly for the phone. Research about how cell phones and other mobile devices impact young brains is years away, but in the meantime, here are some

tips to help parents make wise decisions on behalf of little ones who are anxious to tap into the mobile technology habit:

Defer to development.

Common sense says you shouldn’t give electronic equipment to someone who drools or reflexively puts things in his or her mouth. Ditto for the child who is still conducting “I wonder what happens when I drop this” experiments.

Maintain ownership.

Regardless of age, unless the child is paying the bill, phones, even if given as gifts, technically belong to the parent. You know the minute you boot up your cell phone, a young child will start the doe-eyed pleading to play a game or call a friend. Take a few moments to set some usage limits and be firm with your decision to control the use of mobile technology, whether it’s texting friends or merely shooting space aliens.

Pick your time and place.

Little kids often accompany their parents to places that test the patience of everyone involved. Even a simple car ride can be a trial for a toddler. In these settings, a mobile device may seem like a godsend to help pass the time, but experts suggest it is also a good opportunity for parents to establish the rules. Tell your child that he or she can hold Mommy’s phone while in the car, but must give it back after arriving at the destination. Like most limits, this will work only if you enforce it.  The best way to create a cell phone junkie is to give a child random access to the device. Rather, think through the rules you want to establish. Keep them simple. Be consistent.

Encourage mobility.

Despite their name, mobile devices actually discourage mobility. Kids who use them tend to stay firmly planted on their fannies while staring at the tiny screens. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two avoid cell phones with cutesy apps geared for little ones.  For children over two, the recommended daily allowance is one hour. But more and more parents, however conscientious, routinely violate this recommendation, especially when desperate for a little peace and quiet. Kids, however, need to be physically active. A child who is running, climbing, bouncing and playing may need more supervision than one who is glued to a screen, but research shows that active play promotes healthy physical and mental development. Mobile technology moderation is the key.

Talk.

Of all the things children learn in their first six years, language is one of the most important. The research is crystal clear on this point. Talking to little children—even infants—encourages rapid and more complex neural development. If a child is staring at a mobile device, a parent could make the experience a tad more enriching by engaging in a discussion about what’s happening on the screen. Not only is this fun, but it can lay the groundwork for the concept of technology as an interactive experience, rather than a solitary one.

Choose appropriately.

If you do want to amuse a young child with a mobile interactive device, you’ll have no problem finding apps, short for applications, designed for children. Apple’s App Store has a special section for Mom and Dad. Handango.com reviews apps for Blackberry, Android, and other cell phones. Don’t be seduced by claims that these tiny programs are “educational.” Choose apps with the same criteria you’d apply to a picture book–Is it colorful?  Is it playful? Is it age-appropriate?  Does it reflect the values you want to nurture in your child?

Despite all the latest attention diverting innovations in technology, the ingredients for a healthy, happy childhood will always revolve around loving, engaged parents who set sensible, consistent limits while providing safe and abundant opportunities to explore the world. Mobile interactive devices will continue to blink, beep and mesmerize, and to date, the thinking is that moderate, controlled usage by little ones should have little negative impact.