As technology becomes more of a staple in everyday family life, parents are making choices about how much screen time to allow their children—and asking questions about how computers, phones, and TVs might help or hinder a child’s development. Here are some pros and cons of screen time for kids:
PROS
Provides desensitization needed to face horrors of real life
Sedentary, obese children significantly easier to babysit
Prevents children from taking up hobbies you’d have to feign interest in
Comfort in knowing Mariska Hargitay watching over your children
Finite battery life an important lesson on mortality
Digital era a perfect scapegoat for child’s all-around terrible upbringing
CONS
Looming threat that toddler might reveal spoilers
Enables children to Google negative findings of studies on excessive screen time
Yam puree all over space bar
Just when they’re used to the current OS, Apple releases an upgrade and you’ve got another tantrum on your hands
Puts your high scores in danger
Takes intended sting out of pointed physical and emotional neglect
