Screen time and nannying: here’s what you need to know

While digital devices have seeped into every part of our daily lives, there’s one group that benefit from limited screen time: kiddos. If you’re a nanny or babysitter, here’s what you need to know about being on your phone or letting kids have screen time while you’re on the clock. 

Cell phone use on the job

Like pretty much everyone else in today’s society, you probably have a smartphone buzzing in your back pocket. You may have a habit of pulling it out anytime you’re bored – on the bus, while you eat – or the second it buzzes with a notification. And that’s fine: you’re an adult who can decide when and how to hang out with screens. 

When it comes to nannying, though, cell phone use is a big no-no. Your job is to take care of these kiddos, and that involves everything from keeping them safe, to keeping them engaged and growing. 

Why you shouldn’t be on your phone while nannying

As an exceptional nanny, you’re there for more than just making sure the kiddo makes it to the end of your shift.

If you are on your phone while out and about with a kiddo, it may impair your ability to keep the child safe, whether it’s by not noticing traffic, unexpected things happening in the periphery, or by not keeping track of where your kiddo is. That’s a huge one – but it’s not the only reason to stay off your phone. 

Research shows that parent-child interactions suffer when adults are on their phones. Since you are the child’s main adult while on the clock, the same experiences apply to you. Studies show that when parents are on their digital devices, it results in:

• Fewer parent-child interactions

• Less parent-child bonding

• Lower quality or more negative interactions when adults break their screen focus to interact with the child, leading children to stop trying to interact with their parents 

As an exceptional nanny, you’re there for more than just making sure the kiddo makes it to the end of your shift. You’re there to engage, teach them about the world, help them explore and learn, encourage their development, whether it’s speech, social, motor skills, or cognitive functions. 

All of those things happen in the relationship and interactions between you two. It can be hard to remember in the rote 9-5, but being a child’s caregiver and being a part of their entry into the world sometimes feels like nothing short of magic. But that requires actively participating in the world around you, and truly being present with your charge.

What about parent-sanctioned screen time?

Some families have daily routines that involve screen time. Maybe their kid gets half an hour of TV before bedtime, or they earn YouTube minutes by completing homework or other tasks. 

If your shift overlaps with their own family screen habits, of course you should follow their routines. You might spend the kiddos pre-bed TV time cleaning up the kitchen or prepping jammies and the bath. Even better – spend that half hour sitting next to the kiddo so you can discuss what they’re seeing, think more about what’s happening or answer the kiddo’s questions about why someone did that in the show. 

The point here is following the parents’ lead. Ask them how they’d like you to handle their screen routines, and follow suit.  

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Note: Screens can be useful educational tools, too, but unless specifically requested, leave that screen time allotment to when the parents need a go-to for a break or to snuggle up on the couch with their kiddo and hang out with Elmo. 

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Talk screen time up front

If you’ve read our blog before, you know we always come back to clear communication and setting expectations up front. It’s so much easier to know what to do or how to handle a situation if you’ve already talked about it beforehand with the parent. 

So: 

1. Ask the parent to write in their screen time and cell phone rules in your nanny job contract
   or 

2. Talk about it in your first week of working with a family

Ask them: 

• what their rules and habits are

• how much they want you to communicate with them throughout the day

• and let them know if you have any specific reasons your phone might ring and you have to answer. 

This helps you avoid future conflicts and awkward situations. 

Screen time at Smart Sitting nanny agency

As a nanny agency who’s been around long enough to see the massive changes we’ve gone through regarding phone habits and digital device use, we recognize that different employers or agencies have different rules regarding screen time. Nannies also come in with different expectations, based on previous jobs or their own habits. 

Based on what we know about how screen time affects a nanny-child relationship, the safety aspect, and the level of extraordinary caregiving we hold our nannies to, our screen guidelines are:

1. No unnecessary cell phone use at all during a shift

2. Never put a child in front of a screen without such direction from a parent

3. Communication with parents throughout the day is of course okay, ideally as agreed upon with the family (some parents want regular check-ins or loads of photos, others prefer to check in end of day)

4. Using your phone to get directions etc. is okay when necessary

5. If you are expecting an important call or an emergency call (such as being the emergency contact for your own child), let the family know ahead of time

6. Ideally, silence your phone and set parents’ contact information (and your own child’s school, for instance) as priority contacts that can come through in Do Not Disturb/Silent mode

Are you an exceptional nanny looking for a screen-free job?

Let’s be honest, staying off your phone for 8 hours a day can sound kind of freeing. Especially if it’s coupled with a rewarding career in helping to raise the next generation. Get your fill of fresh air, fun games, and nonstop laughs by embarking on a nanny career – we highly recommend it! 

If you are already an experienced and dedicated nanny and are looking for a new position, apply to be a part of the Smart Sitting network. We are always looking for exceptional caregivers to join our network, with carefully selected family-nanny matches and a strong, active support system to help you in your childcare-er (get it?).

Fill out the application below to get started – and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, for more tips in nannying and open jobs in our network!