Active parental mediation with guidance on device use, creating routines with and without screens, age-appropriate devices, among others, are some of SPC’s recommendations to turn screens into allies for learning, communication, and autonomy.
The arrival of tablets, smartwatches, consoles, or the first mobile phones after Santa Claus and the Three Kings presents new challenges for families. Children’s excitement when unwrapping them coexists with the need for tools and routines from families to introduce little ones to technology in a responsible and safe way.
Today, technology is part of children’s daily lives from very early ages. According to the Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households 2025 by the National Statistics Institute (INE), 96.5% of children between 10 and 15 years old regularly have internet access and almost 7 out of 10 use a mobile phone. This context explains why more and more families seek clear guidelines to support children in their first contact with technology and make it a positive experience from the start.
Key points to support children in screen use
The debate around children’s access to technology has evolved, and nowadays many families and experts focus on how to introduce children at home to devices in a balanced and responsible way, adapting screen use to each stage of child development. Adult guidance and clear rules are essential to foster a healthy relationship with screens from childhood.
From SPC, a Spanish consumer technology brand, they remind us that the adaptation process should start at home, with the establishment of appropriate guidelines and close monitoring, and share some recommendations to consciously integrate screens into the lives of the little ones:
1. Accompany them from day one: the first contact with a device should not happen alone. Discovering together what it is for, how it works, and what uses are appropriate helps children understand technology as a tool and not as a rule-free space. This initial guidance builds trust and opens a family communication channel, reducing the risk of inappropriate use developing over time.
2. Establish clear routines and times: setting schedules and device-free times, such as during meals or before bedtime, helps define digital well-being limits for children and prevents unnecessary conflicts. Additionally, it is important that family members respect these rules and also avoid using their devices during these times, making it easier to maintain them daily.
3. Choose age-appropriate devices: opting for devices with features tailored to children’s needs, simple interfaces, and parental control options facilitates a gradual introduction to technology and reduces exposure to stimuli or content unsuitable for their developmental stage. Currently, there are various technological devices that often become the first contact young children have with technology, such as the tablet SPC GRAVITY 11” or the children’s smartwatch SPC SMARTEE 4G JUNIOR, designed to help families provide a gradual and safe introduction to technology and encourage more conscious device use from an early age.
4. Use technology as an educational tool: beyond entertainment, technology can be a key ally for learning, as well as for children to communicate with their close environment and gain autonomy, if used wisely. Educational content, communication tools, and features aimed at ensuring children’s safety allow the device to have a clear purpose in the child’s daily life, supporting their personal, social, and academic development in a balanced way.
5. Disconnection as a source of well-being: teaching and encouraging screen-free alternatives, such as board games, outdoor play, reading, physical activity, or family time, and setting an example as adults by using devices selectively, helps children understand that technology is just one part of their routine and not the center of everything.
6. Active parental mediation: it’s not just about setting limits but accompanying the digital discovery process. Parents should guide their children in decision-making, teach them to manage risks, and take advantage of the opportunities technology offers. This involves supervision, constant dialogue, and being a role model in responsible device use. When direct accompaniment is not possible, parental control tools can be a useful support to ensure children access appropriate and safe content and know their time limits.
Accompany them today to build healthy digital habits for tomorrow
Integrating technology into childhood is not a one-time decision but a process that evolves through the different stages of child growth. Setting clear limits, maintaining open dialogue, and adapting screen use to each stage are key points to create a healthy relationship with technology, both now and in the future.
“The challenge is how we introduce technology into children’s lives in a balanced and responsible way. With the right devices and constant guidance, screens can become a positive tool for learning, communication, and developing autonomy, always prioritizing the child’s well-being,” says Verónica Catediano, SPC’s communications manager.
Beyond Christmas gifts, teaching children to manage technology consciously fosters responsible digital habits that will accompany them throughout life, balancing learning, creativity, and well-being without replacing personal relationships inside and outside the family nucleus.
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