Getting Kids to ‘Pitch’ Why They Want a Particular App: A New Way to Evaluate Screen Time Choices

In today’s digital world, children are drawn to new apps constantly, from social media platforms to educational games and beyond.?

As a parent, it can be challenging to keep up with these requests while also making sure the apps are safe, age-appropriate, and align with your family’s values.?

Rather than taking on the role of a strict gatekeeper or, conversely, simply letting them download as they please, a fresh approach might just do the trick: get??your child “pitch” why they want a particular app.

Why “Pitching” Works Better Than Just Evaluating Downloads

This method of having children explain or “sell” their desire for an app goes beyond simply assessing the app’s features.?

It turns an impulsive “I want this!” into an opportunity to build skills and foster meaningful conversations. Instead of being a one-sided evaluation process, it becomes a learning experience that involves trust, critical thinking, and communication.

Benefits of Having Kids Pitch Their App Choices

Encourages Critical Thinking When kids need to pitch an app, they have to think through why they want it. Is it for fun, for learning, to connect with friends? By weighing the pros and cons, they develop a better understanding of what they truly value in an app and learn to assess the content critically, rather than relying on popularity or peer influence alone.

Fosters Communication Skills Articulating why they want an app helps children practice explaining their thoughts in a way that makes sense to others. They’ll learn to organize their ideas, prioritize the app’s key features, and convey why they think it’s suitable. This is valuable practice not only in decision-making but also in persuasive communication.

Teaches Responsibility and Boundaries By inviting your child to advocate for the app, you’re handing them the responsibility of researching it. They become more aware of what they are downloading and learn to be responsible consumers. The process also reinforces the understanding that apps come with rules and boundaries, not as an endless stream of downloads.

Builds Empathy and Perspective When children try to see things from your point of view as the parent, they gain insight into what you care about regarding safety and family values. They’re more likely to think about how their choices affect others in the household, fostering a more balanced, empathetic perspective.

Creates Healthy Digital Boundaries Rather than focusing only on restricting downloads, pitching allows kids to explore apps while considering their limits and the impact on their screen time. This approach empowers them to make thoughtful choices, which helps with developing healthy digital habits.

Steps to Implement the “Pitch” Method with Your Kids

Set Up a Pitch Meeting Start by framing this as a positive, collaborative experience rather than a test or a chore. Let your child know that before downloading any new app, they should prepare a brief “pitch” or presentation. This could be informal—a conversation around the dinner table—or more formal, where they present a few points they’ve prepared.

Get Them To Cover Key Points Encourage your child to consider the following aspects in their pitch:

Purpose of the App: Why do they want it? Is it for fun, education, or socialising ?

App Features: What does it offer that’s different from other apps they already use?

Safety and Privacy: Are there any privacy settings? Does it include in-app purchases? Can they control who they interact with?

Time Commitment: How often do they plan to use it, and how will they balance it with other responsibilities?

Discuss and Evaluate Together After their pitch, have a discussion. Give them credit for the thought they put into it and raise any concerns you might have. You may choose to research the app together to check ratings, reviews, and privacy policies. The goal here is to make it a two-way conversation, where you both come to a decision together.

Decide on Terms and Conditions If you both agree that the app seems appropriate, set boundaries for its use. This might mean agreeing on daily time limits, turning off in-app purchases, or scheduling regular check-ins to ensure the app continues to be a positive addition.

Encourage Reflection After a few weeks, encourage your child to reflect on their app usage. Do they still enjoy it? Was it worth the download? This step helps them think critically about their digital habits and whether each app truly adds value.

Example Pitch Script for Kids

Here’s a simple script you could give your child to guide their pitch:

• “The app I’d like is called [App Name]. I think it’s interesting because [give a reason].”
• “I’d like to use it for [number of minutes/hours] per day or week, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t interfere with my homework or other activities.”
• “The app has [mention any safety features, like privacy settings or age limits].”
• “I’d be happy to review it with you after a few weeks to see if it’s still something I want to use.”

Handling Rejections

If you decide the app isn’t appropriate, explain your reasoning and offer alternatives. This can reduce frustration and shows that you’re not just saying “no” to exert control. It also encourages them to make better pitches in the future, improving their chances of making thoughtful app choices.

Final Thoughts

The “pitch” method isn’t just a tactic for controlling screen time; it’s a parenting tool that teaches responsibility, decision-making, and communication. By transforming a simple app request into a conversation about values, safety, and self-awareness, you’re helping your child build a foundation for a healthier relationship with technology. They’ll learn to think twice before impulsively hitting “download,” and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that each new app is a choice made thoughtfully together.

Joseph South, a prominent figure in educational technology, developed a set of guiding questions to help parents, educators, and children critically evaluate apps for learning and development. His framework emphasizes educational value, safety, and long-term engagement rather than just immediate appeal. Here’s an outline of his core questions, which can help you and your child assess any app before downloading:

1. Educational Value

• Does the app encourage active learning? Look for apps that encourage children to think critically, solve problems, or apply skills rather than passively consume content.
• Is the content age-appropriate and developmentally suitable? Evaluate whether the app content aligns with your child’s age and maturity level, focusing on features that genuinely support their cognitive and emotional growth.
• Does it offer meaningful feedback? Apps that provide specific feedback can help children understand what they’re doing well and where they can improve, fostering a growth mindset.

2. Engagement Quality

• Does the app keep them engaged in a productive way? Look for apps that draw children in through creative play, exploration, or learning, rather than by using addictive elements like rewards or endless scrolling.
• Does it support active engagement instead of passive screen time? Apps that require children to interact actively—by drawing, building, or creating—tend to have more educational value than ones where kids passively watch or scroll.

3. Safety and Privacy

• What data is the app collecting, and is it secure? Check if the app has a privacy policy that respects users’ data. Apps geared toward children should avoid collecting sensitive data unnecessarily.
• Are there in-app purchases or ads? Many apps for children contain ads or in-app purchases that can interrupt the experience or lead to accidental charges. It’s essential to know if these elements can be disabled or monitored.
• Are interactions safe and moderated? If the app allows for social interaction or communication, check that these features are age-appropriate and secure, with moderators if possible, to protect against harmful content or strangers.

4. Long-Term Value and Learning

• Does the app encourage real-world application of skills? Apps that build knowledge or skills useful beyond the screen—such as math, language, or creativity—have greater long-term value. Assess whether it offers skills your child can apply in other areas of life.
• Will the app grow with your child? An app that offers progressive levels of difficulty or broader subject areas can remain useful as your child grows, making it a better investment than those offering only short-term engagement.

5. Screen-Time Balance

• How does it fit into a balanced digital diet? Consider how this app fits into your child’s broader digital activity and daily life. For instance, if your child already spends time on entertainment-based apps, consider choosing an educational or interactive app to create a balanced mix.

Using These Questions to Guide App Decisions

Encourage your child to reflect on these questions when preparing their app pitch. For example, they might research the app’s features to answer how it supports learning, whether it collects data, or how it compares to other apps they’ve used. Engaging kids with Joseph South’s questions not only helps them understand the app but also develops critical thinking and digital literacy—key skills for the digital age.