A mum candidly shared that she often resorts to screen time for her kids – as it can seem like the only way she can get things done around the house.
Anneliese King, a social media influencer and advocate for realistic parenting, boasts a following of over 409,000 on Instagram. She regularly tackles a variety of parenting challenges, from everyday struggles to misconceptions and issues surrounding body image.
In a recent revelation about screen time, Anneliese confessed that despite some parents’ aversion to it, for her, it’s an essential tool for managing her daily tasks. However, she reassures other parents that there are guilt-free ways to incorporate screen time.
She highlighted that not all digital content is detrimental. In fact, some can be quite beneficial.
According to the mum, it’s all about what you allow your children to have access to. She says there are ways to allow screen time that aren’t always bad.
In a post to her followers on Instagram, where Anneliese collaborated with a company, she advised: “If you’re like me, and you feel mom guilt over almost everything but especially screen use, you need to download the app Pok Pok RIGHT now… especially if you let yourself feel guilty for screen time, but also kind of rely on it as that’s the world we live in in 2024.”
Since the mum’s post went viral, many have expressed their gratitude for her sharing the tip. Some parents have already tested the app, and confessed that their children “loved it”.
One user commented: “Feels. Thanks heaps for the suggestion!” Another pleaded: “Need them to expand to Android compatibility! My daughter would absolutely love this app!”
Another parent chimed in: “I also love Kiddopia! Little games and some hand-eye coordination and some learning. My kids have figured out pok pok and the never ending-ness of it.”
However, not everyone is on board with the concept of screen time for kids, with some voicing strong opposition. One critic was particularly blunt, stating: “Getting ‘things done’ isn’t that hard without screens, and putting your kid in front of an iPad is giving up on parenting.”
And another shared: “Screen time gives my kids ADHD symptoms and rage. So yes, there are screen free parents and yes, we get nothing done.”
While letting children spend all day in front of screens is a bad idea, health authorities do agree that it can be helpful if done in moderation. You should also aim to focus on educational content and not mindless scrolling or TV bingeing.
Advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that children should have TV free days, or have a two hour limit on screen time.
But it adds: “A limited amount of child-friendly screen time can be educational, but it’s important to ensure the content is appropriate for your child’s age.”
