Myself and DH agree that DS (6 months) shouldn't be getting screen time until he is older. During the day we listen to music.
Now here is we're we disagree. DH thinks DS shouldn't be aloud to skype with family, but I think it is ok. The reason I think it is ok is because it is not flashing images and loud noises. DH thinks screen time is screen time.
What do you think and is there anywhere I can get some info?
pomegranate / 3411 posts
well i am definitely not that strict with screen time. i try to avoid it, but since DH doesn't necessarily agree, LO still gets some screen time.....anyway, regardless i never considered skype "screen time" at all. I would call it family time.
pineapple / 12802 posts
I think skype is the new way of communicating with family at a far. I, personally, wouldn't count it as screen time. They get to talk to loved ones, how is that bad?
grapefruit / 4278 posts
E would barely get to see my parents, or DHs Dad if we didn't allow Skype screen time. Knowing his grandparents trumps no screen time until 2 in my book. He doesn't watch TV otherwise.
honeydew / 7687 posts
I was JUST thinking about this. I am 100% all for no screen time till after 2 but we definitely face time at least 3 times a week with my Mom. However; most of the time he is playing and i'm just pointing it at him but he definitely come over and waves at her. To me, he is interacting and it is a short period of time. So obviously I think it's ok.
pear / 1723 posts
We video chat once a week for about 30 min with my whole family. It is amazing to me how my kids respond and interact with my family on the other end. It's a way to have a weekend 'family dinner' and to me, that far outweighs any screen time concerns.
And like you said, it's normal, slow, human sounds and movements, not spongebob 
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I think it's okay, this is coming from a mom who regularly uses Skype. I have inlaws on another continent and it is a fabulous tool to keep everyone connected.
Granted, most of the time, my son was playing off in a corner, not actively looking at the screen. It was more like G TV for whoever was watching, not the other way around.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I won't count Skype or FaceTime as screen time. To me the big difference is she willve interacting with the people on te other side, as opposed to passively watching TV. (As much as a baby can interact!). Plus no flashing or quick scene changes.
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
I would allow it. Even now when my kids are older they still just run around and don't really focus on the iPad while we skype family members. I think it would be fine.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I would definitely allow Skype/Face Time. How else is my child supposed to see her family members that don't live nearby? Plus it's interactive....someone says hello, actively responds to your child.
Who'd LO be skyping with? Your family or his?...
pomelo / 5621 posts
@californiadreams: I agree with calling it family time.
@.twist.: I like that he can see his family even though we live far away. That way he knows them when we do visit.
@scg00387: Yes, I usually just let him play while we talk, but he does like to look at everyone.
@MerryC: That is an awesome way to have a family dinner even though you aren't all together.
@looch: Yes, I think at this age, it is more for them to see him. His attention span isn't long enough to want to stare at the screen for a long time.
@Foodnerd81: I was trying to explain to DH about no flashing images when it was skype vs. tv.
@blackbird: I skype with my family. Mom and sisters as they want to and we did before DS was even born. I would have no problem if his family wanted to skype, but they have never asked.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees it this way. Thanks ladies.
pomegranate / 3388 posts
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought one of the biggest issues with screen time is that it is not interactive... and even the TV shows that kind of seem like they might be interactive, just don't trigger the same responses in children's brains as actually being talked to by a real person. If that is true, I would assume that skype would be fine, since it is a real true conversation with a person who can respond and talk back to you. We've never counted skype or facetime as the dreaded "screen time". As far as I'm concerned, the more time that DD spends getting to know her faraway relatives through skype, the better!
Oh, and our daughter at 18 months loves visiting with Grandma and Papa on skype, showing them her toys, and blowing kisses to them. I've never seen her display that kind of behavior with a TV show.
pear / 1769 posts
We skype all the time with family, but don't give her any other screen time.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
yeah it would just bother me in particular that he says "you can't let LO skype with your family" when it's a n/a topic for his family.
coconut / 8861 posts
Skype isn't deemed screen time with us since it's the only way he sees DH's family. It's usually on DH's phone, so it's just playing with Daddy's phone sort of thing. If it's on his computer, LO just wants to play with the keyboard, etc.
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