The expert named the optimal age for children to use gadgets for the first time.

In the modern world, children grow up surrounded by technology, starting to use smartphones at the age of two or three and actively mastering the Internet by school age. Victoria Boeva, the founder of the Discovery network of bilingual kindergartens and schools, told Izvestia on July 20 about the age at which to give minors phones and how to establish rules for their use.

According to her, children should be introduced to mobile devices no earlier than two or three years old, while watching cartoons should be limited to 15 minutes a day. It is also important to set filters and explain which sites are best avoided.

"The older the child, the more enticements there are on the Internet. According to research, children from four to 17 years old like to watch videos and play the most, and after the age of nine, many start blogging or dream about them. Nevertheless, it is better for parents not to leave their child alone with a gadget without restrictions," Boeva said.

The expert also stressed the importance of live communication: it is necessary to spend time together, walk and engage in active games.

At the same time, children should not be completely isolated from technology — it is enough to set reasonable restrictions. Boeva advised discussing the rules with the child, explaining their importance and striving for mutual understanding.

Earlier, on March 25, it was reported that the majority of parents surveyed (65%) limit screen time to children. So, 67% explain this by the desire for minors to relax without gadgets: for example, they read paper books and played regular, non-online games. At the same time, 60% are worried about their eyesight, 55% are afraid that digital addiction will arise, and 30% are worried about safety.