Raising Digital Creators: Encouraging Your Child to Build, Not Just Consume

As parents, we often worry about how much time our children spend in front of screens. The phrase "screen time" immediately triggers concerns about passive, mind-numbing consumption. We imagine kids glued to videos, playing games, or scrolling through endless streams of content. But what if we shifted our focus from how much time they spend on screens to what they are doing during that time?

This shift leads us to the concept of active versus passive screen time, which has significant implications for the kind of relationship our children develop with technology. While passive screen time often involves consuming content without much interaction, active screen time encourages learning, creation, and problem-solving.

In today’s increasingly digital world, it's not enough for our children to be mere consumers of content; we want them to be creators. Encouraging children to build, code, and engage in creative digital projects like storytelling or video production can open up a world of possibilities. Let’s explore why active screen time is important and how we can encourage our children to transition from consumers to creators.

Active vs. Passive Screen Time: What’s the Difference?

To understand how to raise digital creators, we first need to distinguish between active and passive screen time.

Passive screen time typically involves activities where a child is a passive recipient of information or entertainment. Think of watching YouTube videos, binge-watching TV shows, or playing mindless mobile games. These activities may provide temporary enjoyment or distraction but rarely engage higher-order thinking or creativity. They often leave children in a reactive mode, where their role is to absorb rather than participate.

In contrast, active screen time encourages interaction, critical thinking, and creation. It involves activities where children are asked to contribute, problem-solve, or create something new. Active screen time can take many forms, such as:

• Coding games and platforms like Scratch or Code.org, where children learn programming logic and create their own games or animations.
• Digital storytelling apps that allow children to write, illustrate, and even animate their own stories.
• Video production tools like iMovie or YouTube Studio, where kids can create, edit, and share their video content.
• Art and design apps that inspire creativity through drawing, 3D modeling, or graphic design.

How can active screen time support child development?

When we talk about encouraging children to become digital creators, it’s not just about preparing them for future tech jobs—though that’s certainly part of it. Active screen time has many developmental benefits that align with the cognitive, emotional, and social skills we want our children to develop. Here are some key reasons why promoting active screen time is crucial:

1. Encourages Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

When children engage in coding platforms or design apps, they must think critically and solve problems. From debugging a program in Scratch to figuring out how to edit a video, these activities teach children how to break down complex tasks and come up with creative solutions.

2. Fosters Creativity and Imagination

Digital tools provide endless opportunities for children to express their creativity. Drawing in a digital art app, writing a story using a storytelling platform, or creating music through an online platform all help them channel their imagination into tangible creations.

3. Builds Technical Skills

Encouraging your child to create digitally through activities like coding or video editing will provide them with valuable experience using digital tools and platforms, positioning them for success in our technology-driven society.

4. Promotes Persistence and Resilience

Creative digital projects often involve trial and error. A child coding their first game or editing a video will encounter setbacks. Learning how to persevere, troubleshoot, and overcome challenges is an essential life skill that can be cultivated through these experiences.

5. Encourages Collaboration and Communication

Many digital platforms encourage collaboration, whether through online coding communities or co-creating videos with friends. Working with others on digital projects helps children develop teamwork and communication skills, which are just as important as technical know-how.

 

How to Encourage Your Child to Become a Digital Creator

Now that we understand the benefits of active screen time, the question becomes: how do we encourage our children to embrace their role as creators rather than consumers? Here are some practical steps parents can take:

1. Introduce Them to Age-Appropriate Coding Platforms

Coding is often considered the "literacy" of the future, and it’s easier to learn than you might think! Platforms like Scratch are designed for younger children and allow them to create interactive stories, animations, and games. For older children, websites like Code.org and Tynker provide more advanced programming challenges. These platforms are often structured like games, making learning to code fun and engaging.

2. Explore Storytelling and Art Platforms

For children who are more inclined towards writing or art, digital storytelling platforms like Storybird allow them to create and share their own stories. Artistic children can explore apps like Procreate for digital drawing or Tinkercad for 3D design. These platforms provide children with the tools they need to create art and stories that they can share with friends or even the broader online community.

3. Get Them Involved in Video Production

Most children love watching YouTube videos, but how about encouraging them to make their own? Video production teaches a wide range of skills, from planning and scripting to editing and presenting. Tools like iMovie or Adobe Spark are intuitive enough for beginners but provide a wide array of creative options. By creating their own video content, children learn how to structure stories and communicate ideas effectively.

4. Set Screen Time Boundaries that Promote Creation Over Consumption

Not all screen time is created equal, and it’s important to set boundaries that encourage active screen time.Consider limiting passive activities, such as watching videos or playing non-educational games, while allowing more flexibility for activities that foster creativity and problem-solving. You might want to limit passive activities like watching videos or playing non-educational games while giving more flexibility for activities that involve creation and problem-solving. Establishing a balance between creative and passive screen time can ensure that your child engages with technology in a healthy, productive way.

 

Shaping the Next Generation of Digital Creators

As parents, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to guide our children towards a balanced, healthy relationship with technology. Rather than viewing screen time as a concern, we can reframe it as an opportunity for learning and creativity. By encouraging our children to become digital creators, we are equipping them with skills that will not only serve them in the digital world but also foster creativity, problem-solving, and resilience.

It's essential to recognize that active screen time should complement passive screen time, providing children with a more engaging and meaningful way to interact with technology. However, screen time in any form, even active, is not a substitute for other critical aspects of childhood like sports, outdoor play, or social interaction. Physical activity and socialization remain essential for your child's overall well-being and development. 

The future belongs to creators, not just consumers. Let’s help our children become the innovators, thinkers, and builders of tomorrow.

 

Active Screentime Ressources

Learning:

• Lalilo 
• IXL 
• Khan Academy Kids

Coding:

• Scratch
• Code.org

Movie Creation:

• iMovie 
• Wondershare 

Storytelling:

• Toontastic 3D

Arts:

• Drawing: https://procreate.com
• 3D: https://www.tinkercad.com

 

This blog post has been written in collaboration with Patricia CANGAS. 

As a parent of two girls at the Asbury campus and co-leader of the Lycée Digital Literacy Task Force, Patricia brings firsthand insight into modern parenting challenges. She is the founder of Pixel Parenting.org and host of a digital parenting podcast. Holding a Master’s in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University—focusing on the science of learning, gamification, and technology for learning—and with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, her expertise empowers families to navigate technology safely.