Is It Good to Give a 2-Year-Old an iPod Touch?

The iPod Touch, a portable music player and game console manufactured by Apple, is a piece of commonly used technology. According to CNET, more than 350 million iPods have been sold, as of 2012. Adults aren't the only ones using devices like the iPod touch. Kids are using them to play games and use educational apps. Many parents are left wondering, at what age is it OK for children to use an iPod?

  1. Recommendations

    • It's fine to let your 2-year-old use an iPod in moderation as long as you are monitoring her and limit how much time she spends playing with it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 2 get no screen time, but children older than 2 years of age can watch TV and play with electronics in moderation.

    Time Limits

    • The Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend limiting all screen time, including time watching TV, using a tablet or iPod, playing on a computer or any other electronics to one to two hours each day, at the most. Decide on what the time limits will be for your toddler on the iPod and stick with it.

    Age-appropriate Apps

    • Before you let your 2-year-old have free range on an iPod, do some research and select some age-appropriate apps to download for him to play. Common Sense Media recommends some apps for 2 year olds, including Toddler Counting, Baby Hear and Read Verbs and ABC Alphabet by Little Sorter. After you have chosen and downloaded apps for your toddler, you still need to stay involved in what he is playing. Play the games with him and talk to him about what is happening on the screen, to make what he is playing even more beneficial.

    Benefits and Dangers

    • Letting your little one play some apps on an iPod can be educational, if they are being played in moderation. It can give him a jump-start on recognizing letters, number, colors and help to improve motor and language skills. Of course, no electronic device can replace the benefits of human interaction for a toddler. Young children learn by doing, so it's important that you know the dangers of too much time on the iPod as well. If your toddler spends more than than recommended time playing with electronics, he will miss out on real experiences that are important for the healthy development of children ages 3 and younger.

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