We saw Toy Story 5 today. What an amazing way to talk about the devices problem. I wish they had gone a little harder on saying NO to devices, but I understand it being a movie; they probably didn't want to sound too preachy.

It is definitely a good 'starter kit' for parents, but this might end up justifying screen time as long as kids go out to play with other kids for some time. My take is screen time should be very limited, especially the interactive mobile screens (tablets and phones). The reason I make that distinction is that screens should be limited to spaces that others in the household can watch or glance at. This creates a cognitive friction to what anyone wants to watch, as opposed to mobile screens which kids can take to their bedrooms or in cars.

The other problem with these screens is the interactive nature of it, which could lead to cyberbullying or some other negative "groupisms" which are not visible to the outside world and kids are forced to deal with those alone.

Practical tips:

• Do not give a personal device

• Engage them in the evenings

  • Take them out

  • Play board games

  • Learn a magic trick with them :)

  • So much to learn and build out there

• Buy a printer.

  • You can print coloring pages or activities

  • For that tricky excuse 'my homework is in the app', print it out, or get the kids to sit at the dining table or living room when they use the device for 'research'

In short, keep the interactive mobile screens away from kids as much as possible and watch Toy Story 5, and if you have pre-teens (9-12), please give them a copy of The Amazing Generation.