With babies and very young children, parents grapple with whether or not they should allow their child to watch television.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that “television and other entertainment should be avoided for infants and children under age 2” (www.aap.org).  As children get older, the issue of “screen time” – viewing media on any screen, including television, computers, tablets, video games and smartphones – gets more complicated.

With older children, the question becomes “Should I allow my child or teenager to have a cell phone?” A phone, with internet connection and access to social media, is a powerful resource that children need help navigating. This article in The New York Times explores some of the guidelines and boundaries that parents can set up with their children when smartphones enter the picture.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/style/how-to-manage-media-in-families.html?_r=1

Claire is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in body-oriented psychotherapy.  She works as a Behavioral Health/EAP Consultant, providing workplace consultations to employers and assessment and referrals to clients.