As parents, we have probably noticed the trend in recent years of increasing numbers of children and teens reading books and magazines on their cell phones, with the use of free Nook reading apps for Android and other apps for iPhones.
Do you have the same guilt I do? There is a worry that reading off of such a small screen will damage their eyes or that they will become addicted to screens and lack social skills.
Well forget the guilt. Here are some of the most common concerns that parents have about mobile reading and why they have nothing to worry about.
Is It Bad For Children’s Health?
A study on Marketwatch found that prolonged staring at a smartphone screen does damage the eyes, but no more so than reading a regular book or using any electronic device. The study claims that the real danger which is causing children to damage their eyes is holding the phone screen too close to their eyes.
It is recommended that parents encourage children not to hold their phones too close to their eyes and to take regular breaks away from their phones to prevent their eyes from becoming too strained. Don’t forget that reading apps also have functions to increase the font size and screen contrast which will make reading more comfortable on the eyes.
There is also a worry that extended use of electronic devices will affect children’s sleep patterns and make it hard for them to study or concentrate in school. Multiple health organizations including the NHS say that the light of an electronic screen affects young people’s sleep patterns.
It is advised that they should avoid using any electronics right before they go to sleep, perhaps an hour or so before they go to bed. Don’t forget also to keep their cell phones away from the bed so that they are not tempted to use them during the night. (We all know how tempting it is to stay up late reading a great book!)
Can Children Download Inappropriate Material?
This is a huge concern for me, thankfully there are tons of ways to keep children safe from inappropriate material.
All smartphones come with child safety features or downloadable parental control apps to ensure that children aren’t seeing anything they shouldn’t, with instructions on websites such as PC Advisor to talk you through the steps.
The Nook app allows multiple profiles to be created on the same account so that parents can have complete control over and monitor their children’s account and see what books they are downloading without interfering with their reading too much.
Does It Count as Reading Time?
Reading off of a phone might appear to be ‘screen time’ rather than ‘reading time’. But have no guilt! It is only the reading format which has changed, not the books themselves and as proven above, there are no health dangers to reading off of a phone screen.
Mobile reading doesn’t discourage reading time between parents and younger children either. Nook’s interactive picture books are designed for parents and children to read together, while also encouraging children to read on their own and not miss out on story time if their parents can’t be there.
Reading apps are designed with the health, safety, and enjoyment of younger readers in mind. Reading habits might have changed over time but children’s love of good literature hasn’t gone away. So long as parents are keeping an eye on how long their children are using their phones and that they are using them safely, they have no need to worry and can be encouraged that their children are enjoying lots of great books.
What are your favorite reading apps for smartphones? I’d love to add more to my kids’ devices.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
My boys love reading from their Kindle Fire’s. I say reading is reading, so as long as they are doing it – I am happy!
Annie says
I agree with you Robin 🙂 I love to see my kids reading, no matter the method.
Michelle T says
Great post. I don’t really have any recommendations for reading apps but I do have one for parental controls. I use Screen Time app and it works great it controls the time on the tablets as well as what apps they can use and you can also see their browsing history from the app too. I love it, it’s not free but it was pretty reasonable.
Annie says
Thank you Michelle! 🙂 Screen Time app? I will definitely check that out. I love that you can see the browsing history – and it sounds like it is worth the small fee. I need to set this up on my kids’ devices.
Jacqui Odell says
My son is all about technology and play games. In the past I didn’t mind because they were educational of some sort, but now he’s playing games that aren’t. He loves to read so I need to look more into these apps.
Elizabeth O. says
I think this is a great idea. We can’t really stop them from using the technology they have the privilege to use everyday. At least we can educate them about it and its possible health causes. It’s nice to know that the kids are enjoying reading though, instead of watching silly stuff online.
Nikki says
This is such a great idea. I think this would be helpful for me, My husband and I can’t stop our kids from using technology. Thank you for sharing.
victoria says
This is a great idea for me. My 3 years old son i can’t stop him for watching cars and using technology. love your post
Liz Mays says
This is really helpful. I always worried about harmful content even though mobile devices can be great for giving the kids access to lots of books.
Kristin says
Honestly, I’d just be happy my kids are reading. 😀 If they’re going to be looking at a screen then why not let it be a book rather than tv. Great points. 🙂
Kristin
Jeni Hawkins says
Seeing kids read makes me smile! It’s such an important thing to learn how to do properly!
Ourfamilyworld says
I don’t think we can stop the kids from reading, using their phones or tablets. I will be happy that my kids are reading.
Jaime says
I have the Kindle Free Free Time for my daughter and it is AWESOME. She can’t read yet but she listens and watches the books on there.
Rosey says
That’s interesting about the eyes. I am glad to learn it’s not as big a deal as I might have expected.