My kids spend 10 hours a day on their iPads — it’s a free baby-sitter

A mom lets her kids spend up to 10 hours a day on screens and says parents shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

Jay Whitfield, 37, has always been “relaxed” about her children sitting in front of the TV and playing on their iPads.

The mom of two doesn’t limit how much her son, 7, or her daughter, 14, are in front of screens but does make sure they switch off half an hour before bed.

Jay and her husband, Simon Whitfield, 38, a tradesman, make sure the family go on lots of days out but will also have “chill” days at home where they don’t restrict their kids screen time.

Jay, a social media creator, from Exeter, Devon, said: “People have the judgment that using screens is a baby-sitter.

“If you can’t afford childcare I can’t see the harm on putting on the TV so you can get things done.

“I have always been quite relaxed about it.

“I like to make my own choices with my children.

“It’s once or twice a week when we’ve got nothing on.

“I don’t see how that’s going to affect them.

“Everything is digital — we’re all on screens.”

Jay introduced her son to a tablet at age 3 and said her daughter loved watching films growing up.

She said: “My eldest used to love watching films. She was obsessed with ‘Toy Story.’

“We introduced screens to our son at age 3.

“We were home all the time. There’s only so many arts and crafts you can do.”

Just last week, Jay said, her kids were on their screens for around 10 hours that day — after several full days out as a family.

She said: “We had been out two days prior — it was a bit full on.

“They need a day chilling at home.

“Kids need that. It can’t always been full on all the time.

“It’s their holiday — they shouldn’t have to go out.”

Jay says she was on the TV, playing Gameboys and Nintendo in her childhood.

She said: “Our parents were not scrutinized.

“No one knew what anyone else was doing.

“You feel guilty your kids are sat on screens.”

Jay is aware of the negative side effects of screen time and is cautious that her children haven’t developed a bad habit with technology.

She said: “A few people were shocked I let him be on the screen all day. I know my children.

“I know if it’s getting too much.”

Jay says her children also use screens at school and finds it good for learning.

She said: “It’s about balance.

“We have days out and days in.

“We make sure screens go off half an hour before bed.

“You’ve just got to monitor it and do what’s right for you.”