Sophie, a mum from London, shares a story about her two-year-old son, Harry, who has already shown an interest in photography. One day, she spotted him picking up his father’s mobile phone, opening the camera app, and starting to take photos. What really surprised Sophie was that Harry wasn’t just pressing the shutter button randomly; he focused specifically on subjects like the family’s pet rabbit and his favourite toys.
Three-year-old Isla from Bristol amazed her parents when she began searching for her favourite nursery rhymes on the family’s tablet. Her mum, Emma, recalls that one morning, Isla picked up the tablet, opened the BBC iPlayer Kids app, and found her favourite songs all on her own. Emma was impressed by Isla’s memory of the app’s icons and her ability to navigate it, even though she’d only shown her a few times.
Another remarkable story comes from Charlie and Jess, whose son Ben learned to search for his favourite shows on YouTube at just two years old. Charlie remembers how, one day, Ben took the tablet, opened YouTube, and confidently tapped the microphone icon to search for "Peppa Pig." Despite his limited speech, Ben managed to navigate the app and find his favourite programme.
While these stories highlight the astonishing abilities of today’s tech-savvy toddlers, we need to be mindful. Screen use can negatively affect children's sleep for several reasons:
Why does screen time affect sleep?
Blue light emissions: Screens emit blue light, which can suppress melatonin production, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. When melatonin levels are disrupted, children can struggle to fall asleep.
Stimulation and overstimulation: Watching lively videos or engaging in interactive games can overstimulate young minds, making it hard for children to wind down and prepare for sleep.
Bedtime delay: Time spent in front of screens often cuts into bedtime. Children may stay up later to watch their favourite shows or play games, leading to a sleep deficit.
How much screen time is appropriate?
Here are some general screen time guidelines by age group:
Babies and toddlers (0-2 years): Screen time should be avoided where possible, except for video calls with family.
Children (3-5 years): Limit screen time to one hour of high-quality programming per day.
Children (6-11 years): Recommend one to one and a half hours per day. Ensure the content is age-appropriate, educational, and that they take regular breaks.
Children (11-13 years): Around 90 minutes per day, or up to 10 hours per week, with regular check-ins about the content they view.
Children (13-14 years): A maximum of 1.5 hours per day or 10.5 hours per week.
Children (15-16 years): Suggested screen time of two to 2.5 hours daily, or 14 to 17.5 hours weekly.
Tips for healthy screen use
- Set screen-free times, especially before bed, aiming for at least an hour of screen-free time before sleep.
- Make sure content is age-appropriate and educational, and be present to discuss what children are watching.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine, which could include calming activities like reading, a warm bath, or soft music.
- Keep bedrooms screen-free. TVs, tablets, and phones should ideally be kept in another room.
Creating a screen-free bedtime routine is essential for promoting better sleep, but it can also be an opportunity for meaningful bonding with your child. Sleeping bags with feet are like wearable blankets, and they can play a key role in this transition by making your child feel cosy and ready for bed while still giving them the freedom to engage in calming pre-sleep activities.
Imagine snuggling up with your little one in their wearable sleeping bag to read a favourite story, play with their toys, or share a few quiet moments together—all without the distractions of screens. These sleeping bags are perfect for helping your child wind down and feel secure, while also being prepared to drift off to sleep without disruption.
Ready to make bedtime both relaxing and screen-free? Discover our range of footed sleeping bags and transform your evening routine into a cosy, tech-free haven.
Read more Parenting Advice in: Tips and Tricks for Parents
