This content originally appeared on Mashable for US audiences and has been adapted for UK audiences.
Technology has changed a lot since you were little. Your kids probably have a better handle on the features on your iPhone than you do because you’re constantly asking to play with it. And when you finally get it back, it’s a sticky mess covered in drool and other inexplicable slime.
But in the age of touchscreens and constant connectivity, there’s not really a way to say “no” without feeling like a parent from the Middle Ages. Enter tablets for kids: the happy medium between giving them access to the technology they want without turning them into a tech zombie. If you’re still unsure, here’s a quick guide.
Should children have limited screen time?
Screen learning and screen time limitations are becoming increasingly important research points. Parents’ questions often boil down to “how much is too much?” The general advice, as offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should be limited to one hour of quality content per day. In addition, it is about creating a plan that suits your child and family. Routines are always good when it comes to children, and sensible boundaries help tackle issues arising from excessive screen use, such as obesity, behavioral problems and the impact on learning or sleep patterns.
What are the learning benefits of a tablet?
Tablets just feel more like playing, and it’s not surprising that kids are more willing to learn when it doesn’t feel forced. One project found that students who used tablets achieved higher exam scores than those who did not use tablets, and were able to recognize 20% more words due to an improved ability to recognize sounds and represent sounds as letters. A 2018 meta-analysis also found that using a touchscreen was beneficial for certain learning activities, such as science and technology, because apps or games have the ability to create a memorable real-life experience (compared to, for example, simply reading about a scientific experiment). example).
What’s important to remember is that tablets are a great learning tool, as long as they are not children’s main source of learning. Children should always feel comfortable reading printed books and doing math by hand. Certainly. But the possibilities for self-sufficient and interactive learning on a tablet cannot be underestimated.
What features do you need in a children’s tablet?
Most tablets made specifically for kids already come equipped with built-in parent accounts, timers, and pre-selected websites or apps designed just for kids. Easy enough. General purpose tablets are not a bad choice at all; many sites call the iPad one of the best tablets for kids, even though it is technically suitable for everyone. The most important things to consider when shopping for a tablet for kids are:
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Screen resolution — The required screen resolution depends on the amount of movies your children watch and play games. If the answer is “not much,” then you don’t need anything special.
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Storage — They probably have more apps than you, and may need space for downloads like offline Disney+ movies, music, or certain books for school.
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Parental supervision — For obvious reasons, you will want to pay attention to the amount of control you can have over usage.
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Robustness — Because kids are actually adorable machines of destruction and you’ll probably feel better with a protective case.
Focus on these features and you can’t go wrong.
What is the best tablet for children?
To help you make the best decision for you, your child and your life, we’ve shortlisted a selection of standout tablets for kids. There’s something for everyone and every budget on this list, and all you have to do is pick a favorite. You can choose from impressive tablets from Amazon, Apple and more.
These are the best tablets for kids in 2023.