I did no devices at all until kindergarten. I have a tv connected to Plex via appletv in my living area and would watch a few shows with them.
Gave unlimited books and magazines.
Elementary school- bought an iPad with screen time and “no devices upstairs” (all bedrooms were upstairs). 30 minutes on school days, 60 minutes on weekend. Wi-Fi rules to shut off at night. Pihole to block porn and YouTube.
Middle school got laptops with same controls. And a gaming pc in the living room.
No instagram until 13. This was hard because all other kids got at 10 or earlier. Am trying to push this to 16 with later children.
High school- same laptop, little more screen time and later Wi-Fi turnoffs.
Phones with data when they have jobs and can afford to pay directly.
Hard to tell if this “works.” Have done some tests of how much screen time and apps and behavior was very different for the worse with more screen time. Things like more arguments. Less time creating art or playing in person with friends with more screen time.
Gave unlimited books and magazines.
Elementary school- bought an iPad with screen time and “no devices upstairs” (all bedrooms were upstairs). 30 minutes on school days, 60 minutes on weekend. Wi-Fi rules to shut off at night. Pihole to block porn and YouTube.
Middle school got laptops with same controls. And a gaming pc in the living room.
No instagram until 13. This was hard because all other kids got at 10 or earlier. Am trying to push this to 16 with later children.
High school- same laptop, little more screen time and later Wi-Fi turnoffs.
Phones with data when they have jobs and can afford to pay directly.
Hard to tell if this “works.” Have done some tests of how much screen time and apps and behavior was very different for the worse with more screen time. Things like more arguments. Less time creating art or playing in person with friends with more screen time.