Jo Frost, the internationally renowned parenting expert known as Supernanny, has issued a stark warning to parents about using electronic devices as rewards for children. In a recent social media video, she highlighted a common parenting pitfall that can inadvertently undermine the value of everyday childhood experiences.
Frost recounted receiving feedback from a mother who claimed her toddlers play outside and get muddy, and then come inside relaxed. As a treat, she gives them iPads to watch. Frost declared this approach to be 'one of the biggest problems today,' emphasising that electronic devices should not be viewed as rewards.
Why Treating Tech as a Reward Is Problematic
Frost explained that when parents treat the iPad as a 'golden shrine' or the ultimate reward, children adopt the same perspective. 'And what should be the best becomes the boring,' she said. She argued that being outside should feel normal, and coming inside to play board games like Hungry Hippo should also feel normal. Colouring, reading stories, and other simple activities are the real treats that make childhood special.
She cautioned that placing tech on a pedestal undervalues other activities that truly make a difference in a child's life, such as learning new words, developing motor skills, and widening creativity. Frost stressed that the emphasis should be on building and bonding, loving, dancing, nursery rhymes, and ensuring children interact with others rather than being handed a device.
Encouraging Active Childhoods
Frost asserted that a toddler's day should be filled with curiosity and exploration of everything around them and the things they actively do. She suggested that youngsters should be less sedentary and expend much more energy. 'So remember, the next time you label tech as a treat, because it's not a tool for some and a time-waster for many and a digital dummy for your kids to keep them pacified instead of satisfied with the life they could be having as norm, remember this message,' she concluded.
Public Reactions
In the comments section, one person remarked that screen time has been a standard part of childhood since the 1950s, and as long as it's balanced, there is no issue. Another woman shared her experience as a 90s kid, saying she never had an iPad and was always outside using imagination and creativity for entertainment, calling it the 'best childhood ever.' Frost's message resonated with many, affirming that technology can be part of a healthy routine but should not be treated as a reward.
