I'd probably rather have my kids play a creative game like Minecraft on a tablet than TV. I'd rather have them watch Pokémon on TV than YouTube Kids on the tabl

I'd probably rather have my kids play a creative game like Minecraft on a tablet than TV. I'd rather have them watch Pokémon on TV than YouTube Kids on the tablets. TV is entirely passive. Games on the iPad are at least interactive, though games are not all created equal. I have some concerns that touching glass all the time will be damaging for kids, as much as if not more than the lack of mental stimulation or social growth or physical activity. But I also think that encouraging creative play (lots of building with different materials), playing outside, role-playing and even being "bored" to invent new games and new play is highly beneficial. Reading and even trying to make up stories is also good. The worst part of screen time is that it crowds out so many other beneficial activities, but I'm not convinced that it's horrible as a "treat" alongside those activities. It's probably better than zero stimulation or interaction at all.