For years, people have been fascinated by the Royal Family. This family has lived in their palace for years, and even though they are more figureheads than actual rulers, we can’t help but want to peek behind the curtain. Then the world was introduced to Princess Diana and we were hooked. Not only was she a princess, she was a person just like the rest of us. Now, years later after her death, the world has a new monarch to relate to. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is following her steps very closely and setting examples on how we should treat and support the less fortunate with her charity work. But she is also a mother of two small children and deals with many of the troubles we do at home. Kate Middleton’s kids may actually be a lot like yours.

Kate Middleton’s Kids Can’t Use…

As a mother of two, Kate Middleton has to deal with a lot of the same problems we do as parents. One of the struggles that parents today are dealing with is whether or not to allow our kids use handheld devices, or how long or under what circumstances. In the Middleton household, the Duchess is a firm believer in not allowing her children to play with iPads at home.

A source close to the family [1] said, “As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment themselves, William and Kate are firm believers in toys, outdoor play and encouraging an active imagination.”

The two children, George and Charlotte, instead spend their time doing other things that they love. George enjoys being outside and riding his bike with his dad, while Charlotte loves playing Disney Princess (ironic as she’s a princess herself).

Benefits Of Limiting Technology For Kids

While technology has come along way and has brought a lot of convenience to our everyday lives, it’s not without its pitfalls.

When children are young, their bodies are still growing and developing. One crucial organ that is developing is the brain. A child’s brain development is determined by their environmental stimuli, and studies show that overexposure to technologies like phones or tablets are associated with with executive functioning and attention deficit, anxiety, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate (throwing tantrums) [2][3].

Technology use can restrict movement, which can result in delayed development in children who are heavy users and can put them behind where they should be compared to other children their age. Literacy and academic achievement for these children is severely hindered. Movement is so important because it actually enhances attention and learning ability in children [4]. Children under the age of 12 should have limited access to handheld devices as it can be detrimental to their development and learning [5].

Another point of concern is the effect that technology can have on the mental health of young children. Abusing technology by spending hours in front of a screen has been implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of depression in children, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior [6][7].

In the past, parents never had to worry about what technology was doing to the well-being of their children. Now, technology has become an integral part of our day to day lives but does that mean it has to take over it? Decisions like Kate Middleton’s to put her foot down and limit her children’s use of technology is a great example for parents raising children in a world where eyes seem to always be on screens. What do you think about Kate Middleton’s decision? Is she being too harsh or is it important to let kids just be kids?

Here are some great activity books that would be an awesome alternative to screen time:

The Everything Kid’s Puzzle Book

School Zone Activity Book Set

Word Search for Kids Ages 6-8

Jumbo Activity Book For Kids