Boys Town Helps Parents Decide if a Tablet is Right for a Child this Christmas
OMAHA, Neb. - Boys Town releases advice to help parents decide if their child is ready for a tablet this
Christmas and how to manage the technology. Although it would be nice, tablets and other electronics do
not come with age restrictions. The national child care organization, started over 90 years ago, offers
things to consider when deciding whether or not to buy a tablet for your child.
1. Keep in mind your child’s maturity level. Although age is a good indicator, you as a parent, know
your child best.
2. Educate yourself when purchasing a tablet for your child. Learning about passwords, privacy
settings, internet access, and clouds. Discuss concerns with your phone carrier or tablet supplier.
They can answer questions about the product, parental controls, and software that may apply to
your child’s needs.
3. Help your child explore all the positive aspects that technology has to offer and incorporate into
your family life (i.e. family game night, FaceTime distant relatives, watch funny videos, etc.).
4. It is important to balance what is allowed on the tablet and the amount of time spent on the
tablet. Children should be participating in other extracurricular activities besides electronics.
5. Be a good model. How often are you on your phone/tablet? Your children are watching you and
you can model how to use these devices appropriately.
“Children are still communicating; the mode of communication has just shifted,” said Kristen Abbondante,
Psychologist at the Boys Town Behavioral Health Clinic. “Instead of trying to fight against, learn it. Join
social media sites, text, and, if you're feeling confident, share information on the cloud.”
Visit http://www.parenting.org/guides/media-and-parenting for more information about parenting in the
digital age.
About Boys Town
Nationally, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope for America’s children and families through its lifechanging youth care and health care programs for more than 90 years. In 2011, Boys Town’s Integrated
Continuum of youth care and health care programs impacted more than 500,000 children and families
across America. This includes those who received services from Boys Town’s residential programs as well
as those served by the many varied programs that comprise the Boys Town Integrated Continuum of Child
and Family Services, including In-Home Family Services, health care services provided by Boys Town
National Research Hospital and the Boys Town National Hotline.
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Media Contact:
Lauren Laferla
402.498.1273
lauren.laferla@boystown.org