The past 2.5 years at Totoli have been an adventurous and inspiring journey, in which the idea of creating a safe and dedicated digital world for all families with young children became a reality when we launched our app in December 2022. Our international team from over 14 nations, working across 6 countries and over half of them being parents themselves, was passionately committed to this mission.

With the adverse development in the early-stage funding markets in 2022, we faced a new reality. We adapted quickly and trimmed the scope of our first product drastically. Rather than releasing an integrated tablet as our first product, we decided to launch our mobile application to the AppStore first, so that we could reduce capital requirements and time-to-market. Despite all strategic measures taken, the amazing and continuous support from our lead investor Blue Yard, our angel investors, content partners, other business partners as well as our early users and - first and foremost - the tireless work of our incredible team, we have not been able to build a large enough user base in the short period to secure sufficient external funding.

Our journey has come to and end. While we no longer develop our product further, we built a new version of Totoli that will allow your children to continue using the app for the coming months - free of charge. Our video streaming service will unfortunately be shut down, but the interactive games will remains fully available for the time being. All you need to do is update the app to get the new free version (without videos).

Steinunn Arnardottir, Adham El Muntasser & Philipp Hartmann

News about our Journey

Update from the Totoli team

We want to share important news with you regarding our journey

We’ve covered the topic of screen time from many angles on this blog already, so this article is going to focus specifically on the positive and negative effects of screen time on children. We’ll examine the effects of screen time on attention, sleep, learning, and other areas of development in a list of 10 different ways that screen time affects kids. For a more general overview of the relationship between screen time and children, check out this helpful guide.

Access to online resources
Our screens are the portal to so many incredible resources online that are just a few taps clicks or taps away. Kids can benefit from an ever-growing library of kid-centric educational content including games and videos, plus other content that parents can carefully curate for them to enjoy. Screen time can often be about learning, but doesn’t always have to be, and there are websites, apps, platforms, and games that complement the way kids grow up in 2022. Screen time shouldn’t necessarily replace reading time or time spent with other tools, but it’s still an essential part of growing up.

Balanced lifestyle
Much of modern youth culture is related to events online or emerging tech, and it’s important for kids to be able to relate to their peers and stay up to date with the culture. As long as kids have a healthy relationship with screens, they’ll be well equipped to process tech and internet culture, stay safe, and reap the benefits of a balanced lifestyle that takes place online and offline. 

School readiness
Screens are becoming more commonplace in schools and kids have to be familiar with these devices to make the most out of those educational experiences. The prevalence of remote learning from the past few years expedited the need for device and digital literacy among younger kids, and showed how screens can complement, but not replace in-person and analog learning.

Social connectivity
Staying connected to friends, family, and classmates may be the most important benefit of screen time. Video calling is one of the few examples of screen time that experts say is safe for even the youngest children, and it may help set the stage for healthy screen use in the future. Additionally, social media is becoming increasingly common for older kids and teens, and a thoughtful introduction to safe online engagement will pay dividends as kids grow older and become more involved in the digital world.

Improved developmental skills
We recently wrote a full article about the surprising benefits of video games, and many of the same benefits apply to screen time in general. When introduced and supervised thoughtfully, children can develop motor skills, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and more by engaging with their devices. Video games require direct interaction, and can actually encourage children to be more patient and resilient. 

Reliance and addiction
The potential for over-reliance on screens for entertainment and even screen addiction are probably the biggest fears when it comes to screen time. Children as young as 8 are already spending an average of 6 hours per day in front of a screen. It’s very easy for screens to become a default source of interaction in our homes, and we’re also guilty of spending too much time with our devices. It’s important to set healthy limits and try to make screen time a conscious part of everyday life. We went into this topic in more detail in this article.

Lack of physical activity
Let’s face it – we’re usually not moving our bodies that much when we’re enjoying our screen time. Those passive viewing hours can add up quickly and cause physical strain, and bad habits can take years to address. We recommend providing appropriate warming up and cooling down periods from screen time so kids know when it’s enough for the day.

Sleep problems
In addition to just the time spent in front of screens cutting into sleep, the blue light emitted by screens leads to poor sleep hygiene and difficulty sleeping. If possible, children should avoid screen time at least an hour before bed, and for bedrooms to be screen-free zones as well.

Asocial behavior
We mentioned the positive aspects of social connectivity and participating in contemporary tech culture, but it’s equally important to monitor asocial behavior as a result of screen time. There isn’t a direct causal relationship between the two in either direction. The content we curate for our kids and the guidelines we set for them make a big difference in achieving positive or negative social outcomes.

Impaired academic performance
Kids can struggle in school as a result of all the other possible negative effects we mentioned. When children become over-reliant on their screens, experience fatigue, have trouble sleeping, and experience asocial behavior as a result of their devices, their academic performance often suffers. Ultimately, it’s about establishing a healthy balance between time spent with and without screens.

The positive and negative effects of screen time on attention, sleep, and behavior may surprise you

What are the effects of screen time on children?

We’ve spent a lot of time at Totoli thinking about the positive and negative effects of technology on children. Technology is an indispensable part of everyday life for our kids at home, at school, on the road, and in the company of friends, family, and peers. We already know from our own lives that it can be an extremely powerful tool, and that understanding technological developments over the years is essential. At the same time, we’re well aware of our dependence on our devices. That’s why we spelled out the pros and cons in this article to help you shape the role of technology in your household in a way that works best for you.

Access to information
One of the main forms of technology we use every day is consuming content on the internet through our devices. We have so much information available to us that it can be overwhelming, and it’s the same for our children. It’s our responsibility to curate and point towards the kind of high quality content our kids need to help them learn, widen their perspectives, and build their self-esteem. Processing information will also help them improve their critical thinking skills and equip them with knowledge that will complement their existing formal education.

Digital literacy
Digital literacy means more than just knowing how to work a computer or smartphone. It means being a digital native speaker who knows how devices work, understands internet culture, is adaptable to new technologies, and isn’t surprised by anything that happens in the digital world. Introducing kids to technology early ensures that they get the chance to build a relationship with tech that works for them. They’ll be prepared for both the challenges and opportunities that may come.

Independence and responsibility
Being introduced to devices and understanding the value of technology can foster a sense of independence and personal responsibility that can last a lifetime. When you trust children with looking after a device and set healthy boundaries around its use, you can assess their readiness and encourage them to correct mistakes as they happen. Sooner or later, kids will all have their own devices and will be free to use them as they please – it’s a matter of preparing them early on so they make responsible decisions unsupervised in the future.

Learning and education
There’s an abundance of thoughtfully designed educational apps, games, and streaming content that’s all geared towards teaching kids age-appropriate skills in school subjects like math, spelling, reading, and art, and regular developmental subjects like motor skills and problem solving. In addition to those specific applications, all tech usage has some instructive value. Watching TV and playing video games responsibly can be educational as well. In fact, check out all 30 surprising benefits of playing video games in this article.

Social connectivity
The ability to stay in touch conveniently with people all around the world is one of the biggest benefits of technology that we can all agree on. Video calling and instant messaging make it possible to stay connected to family and friends on a daily basis. More specifically, it’s important to note that social media is the primary method for kids and teens to not only talk but participate in youth culture together. If you remove tech from the equation, you’re removing one of the main ways kids relate to each other.

Dependence and addiction
If you shudder at the sight of your phone’s screen time measurement, then you’re already familiar with the potential for tech dependence and addiction. We’re spending more time on our devices and in front of screens than ever before, and it’s important to stay aware of the tech usage and habits at home. Our children often mold their behavior after us, so it’s vital to set a good example. Check out our article about the relationship between kids and technology for more information about current usage rates and more.

Safety and privacy concerns
While the internet can be an enlightening and educational place, it can also be a hazardous area full of inappropriate ads, in-app purchases, harmful content, and dangerous online interactions like cyber bullying. We covered all the ways that kids are using the internet today in this article, and included some internet safety tips for both kids and teens. Stay up to date on what kind of platforms and content are available to kids and keep the safety and privacy conversation going with your kids on an ongoing basis.

Attention span problems
Being a regular smartphone and internet user doesn’t automatically lead to attention span problems. However, continual passive engagement with any device can cause problems in kids and teens if left unchecked.

Sedentary lifestyle
Spending an inordinate amount of time with tech, whether it’s consuming content in a sedentary position or playing video games, can add up to a sedentary lifestyle that causes physical and mental strain. Left unchecked, this can lead to musculoskeletal problems and greater risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Poor sleep hygiene
The blue light from screens suppresses the release of melatonin, the hormone that normally makes us feel drowsy and prepares us for sleep. Staring at a device right before bed is an impediment to healthy sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene by avoiding devices an hour before bed or even putting them in a separate room from where your kids sleep can counteract this problem, which can lead to unpleasant sleep issues.

We weighed 5 pros and 5 cons of children using technology to decide whether technology has a positive or negative effect

What are the positive and negative effects of technology on children?

What are positive and negative consequences of technology on children?

We’ve covered screen time on a few occasions because it’s one of the most important topics we face as parents. We talk about the benefits and drawbacks of screen time often, and ask ourselves whether we should enforce screen time limits for our kids. The truth is that there’s no simple one size fits all solution for every family. This article is just a starting point for a broader  conversation in your household so you can arrive at solutions that work specifically for your family. These are our 10 recommendations for limiting screen time for kids in a healthy way.

Get all the information you need
The first step is to gather all the information about screen time that you need to inform your thinking. We created a guide that covers most of the basic facts in this article. The most important information is the recommended screen time for each age group. Kids under 18 months should avoid screen time other than video calls. Kids between 18 and 24 months can enjoy co-viewing of curated content up to one hour per day. Kids between 2 and 5 years old can enjoy co-viewing and independent viewing of curated content up to one hour per day, but with more flexibility. Kids between 6 and 12 years old can enjoy reasonable limits that are up to you to decide. Kids 12 and over don’t need strict limits but with practical rules.

Have a point of view
Once you have all the facts, it’s important to think critically about screen time on your own to form a personal point of view. The experts have their recommendations about screen time by age, and research is always being conducted about the advantages and disadvantages of screen time, but it’s up to us as parents to process this information and decide what to do with it. Write down your thoughts and try to arrive at a succinct set of ideas that will help govern screen time in your family.

Start the conversation
Screen time will be a hot topic for a long time as your kids get older and technology changes, so we recommend starting the conversation whenever they’re ready. Opening the dialogue and showing a willingness to talk about important subjects will help form healthy attitudes about screen time and technology at large. We’ve also found that there’s a lot to learn from our kids as well. They have their own points of view that will be crucial in creating sustainable best practices in your home.

Make a pros and cons list together
The logical followup to a conversation is to write down the findings. If you’re feeling up to it, make a list of pros and cons with your kids and be honest about their input. Having this list written formally in a document or even on a notepad will provide a material basis for the guidelines that you’ll set together.

Set guidelines that are unique to your household
The next step is to actually create guidelines based on the conversation you’ve been having with your kids and the formal list of pros and cons. This makes your guidelines unique to your household. There may be plenty of overlap with other families and with the best practices recommended by experts, but ultimately, only your family can decide what’s best for you.

Be realistic and forgiving
You may have noticed that we haven’t been using the word “rules” for limiting screen time. You can use that word if you want to, but using recommendations, guidelines, or best practices reminds us to be realistic and forgiving when things inevitably don’t go to plan sometimes. Good habits are hard to make and bad habits are even harder to break. Make sure you’re being realistic about your expectations and be quick to forgive mistakes that may occur, but follow up with a conversation about what happened whenever possible.

Be accountable
The guidelines you set in your house work best when you try to follow them as well. Your children will follow your lead and mimic you when given the opportunity. Try to set a good example and adhere to the best practices you set for yourself as well.

Warm up and cool down
Screen time should be a purposeful but regular event in a child’s day. Give your children an opportunity to think about the activity so it’s not just an automatic or idle event. They should do some kind of warm up activity before screen time and some kind of cool down activity afterwards whenever possible. 

Normalize screen time
Enjoying screen time should be an activity like any other that your kids plan for, participate in, and reflect on throughout the week like reading, homework, sports, or seeing friends. This means it’s not a reward for doing something good, but a normal part of life.

Normalize screen-free time
This may seem to contradict the last point, but it’s actually in the same spirit. Screen time should be a normal activity in the day, and so should screen-free time. If possible, kids should know that it’s normal not to have devices on around them at all times. Screens are an important part of our lives, but they’re something we can choose to have on or off.

10 healthy recommendations for reducing screen time for kids in a way that makes sense for your family

How to limit screen time for kids in a healthy way

From the moment that video games became an everyday part of our culture, people have debated whether they’re harmful to kids or even to society at large. Video games have been at the center of accusations that they lead to violence or foster an antisocial environment. However, this discounts the sheer variety of video games available today and the potential of video games as an educational tool. In this article, we’ll take a more holistic view of the way video games impact children and list 30 benefits of video games to address why video games are good for kids.

Develops fine motor skills
Whether the video games are on a computer, console, a handheld device, or something else, the movements of many games help fine tune your motor skills.

Develops hand eye coordination
Even the least sporty video game will help develop hand eye coordination from repeated movements following the action on screen with your hands.

Boosts response time
Professional gamers have world class reflexes, and even playing games casually can assist your response time to stimuli on screen.

Encourages patience
One of the biggest social benefits of video games is the patience you gain from taking time to complete objectives, especially in games that require a lot of time to finish.

Encourages resilience
Some games are hard! The ongoing challenges of a game help build the resilience needed to keep going forward.

Encourages teamwork
You can probably picture a gamer with a headset on – what are they talking about? Well if it’s a team-based game, they’re coordinating tactics during the game, and teamwork is a crucial part of many games.

Develops understanding of risk and reward
In many games, you can’t proceed until you take a risk! This mechanism of risk and reward is easily demonstrated in video games, and it’s a useful lesson.

Develops understanding of incremental progress
Games are often organized into stages where you need to make progress little by little, and that’s an important part of life as well.

Develops pattern recognition
Whether it’s visual pattern recognition or something more abstract like recognizing themes or motifs, games can heighten your awareness of your surroundings.

Boosts motivation to finish tasks
The reward mechanism of video games provides a lot of incentive to finish tasks, which you can take into your everyday life.

Reinforces the value of practice
Practice can be tedious, but the fun of video games makes it way more doable.

Helps develop problem solving skills
Problem solving in video games takes many forms. The trial and error and adaptation of games improves your critical thinking.

Fosters multi-tasking ability
Multi-tasking in games means using your controller while looking on screen, but also about handling multiple priorities in the game at the same time. Take a look at professional real time strategy game players to see how many tasks they can focus on at once!

Stimulates creativity
One of the positive effects of video games that’s brought up the most often. Games can boost your creativity by introducing new ideas, actions, and visual scenes.

Boosts attention to detail
Sometimes the difference between happily moving forward in a game or staying stuck on a level is a little detail, and playing games helps you to see these details more often.

Boosts long term attention
Some games may feel repetitive and short, but there are plenty of expansive games that require days of attention.

Assists in working memory
Another one of the benefits of playing video games that researchers have dug into recently. Working memory is the ability to retain information in your head to use in future tasks. Video games often require that you use information from previous parts of the game in order to move forward.

Fosters decision making
Video games force rapid decision making, which can be useful in high pressure situations in real life.

Develops turn-based thinking
Like chess or any good board game, video games can also be turn-based, which encourages strategic long-term thinking.

Relieves stress
This is an easy one. Having fun playing games is an immediate stress reliever!

Boosts mood
The relief of a video game can boost your mood and help you manage your emotions.

Facilitates friendships
Online video games can help bridge oceans and form the basis of meaningful friendships.

Fosters love of technology
Games can be mesmerizing in and of themselves, and the devices we play them on can inspire a love of technology that can yield practical applications later in life.

Tells compelling stories
Like any artistic medium, video games can tell amazing stories that hold important lessons or just simply entertain us.

Acts as a vehicle for information
Video games can be packed with information that’s delivered in a fun and interactive way that’s unique to the medium.

Supplements school education
The educational benefits of video games can come directly from the subject matter, as games help little kids practice math, spelling, or reading.

Slows down aging
Games help us stay young! No one’s too old to enjoy the childlike joy of playing video games.

Aids in adoption of new technologies
The hands-on nature of video games is a great way for people to get used to new technology like VR.

Encourages learning
The incentives in video games are uniquely positioned to encourage learning.

Encourages openness
There’s way more to video games than mindless entertainment, and the sheer variety of games encourages openness.

How video games help kids learn valuable skills, cope with their emotions, and other positive effects of video games.

30 surprising benefits of video games

Planning a family vacation? Your holiday checklist is probably overflowing with itinerary details, confirmation codes, dates, times, and locations, not to mention packing, housekeeping, and other logistics. Well, sandwiched between all of these responsibilities is the potential for a long uncomfortable flight that’s tough on even hardened adult travelers, and may be especially difficult for your little ones. Without all the comforts of home, flying can be a drag for children, especially long haul flights that will test the patience of even the calmest kids. That’s why we compiled this epic list of activities for kids on planes, full of helpful tips on how to keep kids busy on a plane.

Watch a movie
Let’s start with the tried and tested solutions for keeping your kids happy and sane during long flights. Watching a movie you downloaded in advance with comfortable headphones is always a convenient way to help your kids relax.

Watch a series
If a movie gets too tiring for your little ones to watch on the plane, there are plenty of TV series for kids that will help make time go by quickly. At Totoli, we’re particularly keen on series that are fun, balanced, and sometimes educational, like the ones we’ll be featuring in our tablets soon.

Play a coloring game
Coloring is one of those activities that can be as care-free or as focused as your kids want it to be. There are many great coloring apps like Toonia and Colorfy plus many more online that you can access if your flight has WiFi. Check out our list of the best free coloring games for kids to see more options.

Play a music game
Another one of our favorite creative activities for kids on planes is playing a music game where kids can improvise freely or even practice key musical ideas and practices on a virtual instrument. Check out our list of the best music apps for kids for our top recommendations.

Play a puzzle game
Another category of games on your phone or tablet that kids enjoy to relax on planes is solving puzzles. There are options suitable for most ages so you can entertain a 3 year old on a long flight or keep a 6 year old busy on a plane without a problem.

Listen to an audiobook
Just like we’ve done on many long drives, one of the best activities for kids on the plane is to listen to an audiobook. There’s a large library of audiobooks for kids on providers like Audible and free options for streaming and downloading on Spotify as well.

Listen to an album
If audiobooks aren’t your thing, download a bunch of your kids’ favorite albums in advance and give them a comfortable pair of headphones to relax and enjoy some calming music.

Listen to a playlist
Making playlists for our kids is one of our favorite activities anyway, so we get excited about building a fresh playlist just for the plane. For older kids, this is even a nice opportunity to co-listen to songs you both enjoy.

Read a book
If your kids love to read, then the question of how to keep kids busy on a plane is solved with a good book. Just make sure you avoid books with sound that are lots of fun at home, but may not be the best on a flight.

Read to your kids
If your kids are having a hard time reading alone, reading to them quietly is a great way to stay connected with them and help them manage their mood while passing the time as well.

Play a card game
This one has multiple possibilities! You can go for a premade option like Uno or bring a classic deck of cards and play something simple like Go Fish.

Play a guessing game
You can play any number of guessing games either from an established game like Clue, or improvise a game of 20 questions where you take turns guessing what the other person is thinking of.

Play a magnetic game
Whether it’s just goofing around with toy magnets or putting together a magnetic puzzle, these are great toys for planes because they’re hard to lose when they stick together. If you’re wondering what toys are allowed on planes and whether magnets are ok to fly with, you’re in luck – magnetic toys should have no trouble stowed away in your carry-on luggage.

Play with stickers
Just like magnets, stickers have the advantage as a toy for planes because they stay stuck until you decide to place them elsewhere. We’re fans of sticker books where your kids can arrange and rearrange to their hearts’ desires.

Play with finger puppets
This one might be a little bit of a throwback, but we’ve gotten plenty of laughs and entertainment playing with finger puppets with our kids. Bring your favorite few and put on a little show together.

Do a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt on a plane? Well, it’s possible with a little imagination. Create a list of items that your children can easily spot from their seat or from the aisles and have them look for them based on the clues you provide.

Solve a jigsaw puzzle
Where toys and activities for children on planes go, a jigsaw puzzle with many small parts may not sound like an ideal choice. However, there are travel-friendly magnetic options and easy puzzles with large pieces for your younger kids.

Name the animals
To answer the age-old question of how to keep kids busy on a plane, we’re no strangers to fun improvised games. In this game, you simply give clues about the animal and have your kids guess which one you’re thinking of!

Name the countries
If naming animals is a little bit too childish for your children, try naming countries! Give some clues and test your kids’ geography skills.

Name the foods
Finally, there’s naming foods. Kids of all ages will enjoy guessing what food you’re thinking of and the fun facts and clues you give to help them guess correctly.

Doodle
If your kids are natural doodlers or artists, don’t forget to bring some basic art supplies to help them stay occupied.

Color in a coloring book
Can you bring crayons on an airplane? Sure! Whether it’s crayons, pens, or colored pencils, most varieties should be perfectly fine to bring aboard so your kids can pass the time focused on a coloring book.

Etch a sketch
Are toys allowed on flights? It’s a broad question, but most everyday toys should be ok to bring on board. We try to avoid toys that might make a lot of noise, but a classic creative toy like the etch a sketch is no problem at all.

Fold origami animals
We’ve gotten into folding origami animals a little bit and found it to be a perfectly engaging and calming activity on land, and we expect it to be the same in the air!

Hold a stuffed animal
Can kids bring stuffed animals on planes? As long as we’re talking about a conventional cuddly plush animal, and not a giant one the size of a chair, you should be good! Your child’s favorite fluffy friend might be a mandatory carry-on.

Make a digital photo album
If you’re anything like us, you have a lot of unorganized photos on your phone. You might think of organizing some of them into albums while you’re idling on the plane. You can make this a group activity with your kids to make memorable family albums they can also look back on later.

Edit pictures
While you’re making that family album together, you might even think of editing some pictures together using a simple app to make meaningful adjustments or just goof around with effects.

Make a mini documentary
This requires a little bit of planning and creativity, but consider having your older kids make a mini documentary about the journey.

Write postcards
Bring a few postcards onto the flights so your children can take time to write a few thoughts for friends and relatives.

Write a poem together
When you’re both feeling inspired, try putting together simple poems either out loud or on paper.

Tell a story together
Whether it’s taking turns saying one word to build a little story or writing something down for them to read, try a relaxing storytelling activity to pass the time.

Relax with a pillow
Does a pillow count as a personal item? Generally it’s fine to take as an additional item to your carry-on luggage, which should be extra comforting to your little ones who could benefit from the cushiness and support.

Go for a walk
It’s important for your kids to get out of their seats occasionally to visit the bathroom but also to move their bodies a little bit.

Stretch it out
It’s a long flight! Don’t forget to coordinate a little stretch with your kids so they also stay loose.

Count the seats
As an additional activity to accompany your walk, play a simple game and count the seats with your little one while walking up and down the aisles.

Say hello to the flight crew
When it’s a good time, have your young children say hello to the flight crew and be extra courteous.

Take a snack break
Water and snacks are crucial to a smooth flying experience. Time your snack and bathroom breaks well so you avoid any uncomfortable situations.

Change outfits
For extra long flights, it might be a good idea to have a quick change of clothes just to avoid the irritating feeling of clothes that might have gotten stained or sweat through.

Share your travel goals
Take a moment to talk about the flying experience directly and to share some goals you have for the trip.

Thank the flight crew
When it’s all over, have your kids thank the flight crew and say goodbye!

These games, apps, and toys will keep your kids busy on any flight

40 activities for kids on the plane

Check out our epic list of 40 fun, safe, and easy activities that kids can do on the plane.

Do you remember the first time you were taught how to type? Or depending on your age and where you grew up – do you remember your first time using a computer in school at all? It might have felt a little silly at the time. If you were learning how to type, you might have looked down and wondered why the letters were scrambled all over the keyboard and not in an order you were used to. You might have wondered what difference learning how to solve math problems in a game would make in the long run. The truth is that typing quickly and accurately is an essential skill today, and so is understanding how to solve problems on a device.

Our kids are also using devices and figuring out tech at a young age. If we wonder why kids need to learn about technology at all, the answer is as simple as it was in the situations above. This education will pay huge dividends in the future. Here are 5 reasons why kids need to learn about technology.

Support for different types of learning
Not every child learns the same way, and the devices and apps available today are well equipped to support many different types of learning. Kids get excited about learning differently, and they absorb information the best through various teaching methods. If your child is a visual learner, there are obviously benefits to learning through visually stimulating experiences on a screen. If your child is a kinesthetic learner, there are haptic technologies and device interactions that are touch-based. If your child is an auditory learner, there are interactive music and sound-based programs that keep kids engaged with their ears. The possibilities are greater with devices than with only traditional classroom facilities.

Socialization and collaboration
Being fluent in tech and social media gives kids the ability to stay connected with their peers, family, and friends, to collaborate and solve problems together online, and to choose which platforms or social activities to participate in. Beyond the obvious capacity to communicate and share content on social media and messaging apps, learning about technology gives kids the knowhow to decide how they fit best into the tech landscape throughout their lives. Do they know everyone who they talk to online? Do they want to participate in social media trends? Do they know how to use emerging technologies? Tech literacy from an early age helps them make informed decisions when answering these and other questions.

Digital preparedness and safety
Developing a healthy relationship with technology from an early age helps kids to hone skills unique to “digital natives.” They’ll speak the language of tech, stay on top of new opportunities, and practice device and Internet safety. When you think about how to teach kids about technology, consider the benefits of starting the conversation at an early age so kids develop an intuitive and personal understanding of tech in their lives. Internet safety becomes more complex as kids grow into their teen years, so it’s beneficial to build an understanding sooner than later. We went into detail about the best time to introduce kids to tech in this article.

Tech literacy and professional development
Jobs will increasingly require some device, app, or other tech literacy, even outside of the traditional STEM industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US has projected that STEM jobs will grow by 8.8% from 2017 to 2029. Software development jobs in particular are projected to grow by 22%. But we know that careers that have nothing to do with writing code will still require tech literacy. A healthy understanding of devices and programs will be beneficial in any number of industries moving forward. For example, we learned that quick and accurate typing is a useful skill in many professions, and we’ll see many more examples like this from our current tech usage in the future.

Greater interest in STEM
Learning about technology may help foster a long-term interest in science and technology that matures into a pursuit of computer science, engineering, or other related disciplines. If your child shows interest in any of the STEM fields, then there are many obvious next steps in both educational and career development. However, even if your child doesn’t decide on software engineering as a career, for example, there are still many benefits of a STEM education. The critical thinking and problem solving skills that are constantly reinforced in STEM education will find many useful applications in other careers as well.

How kids do better when they're tech literate

Why do kids need to learn about technology?

See our top 5 reasons why kids do better when they’re tech literate.

One of the most important topics at Totoli is the relationship between kids and technology, so we spend a lot of time thinking about how to set healthy technology boundaries for kids. We’re probably familiar with the feeling of being glued to our devices and forgetting how much time has even passed. Some of us may even be familiar with our kids experiencing this same feeling. In order to set up our children for success in the digital world, we’ve thought of some tips for keeping our kids sane and safe while using their tech and spending time online.

Start the conversation early
Open the dialogue about technology in general from a neutral perspective, and not just as something you’re trying to limit. In fact, we recommend framing the issue as a matter of boundaries rather than rules. Ultimately the goal is to create healthy habits and have your kids make good decisions on their own, rather than being forced to make decisions they disagree with. Good tech habits start early, so make this conversation a regular fixture of your home from an early age and help foster a healthy relationship with tech.

List out the pros and cons of technology together
Let’s face it – there are clear pros and cons of using devices and consuming content, and the list is different for everyone. Think about what makes sense for your family, make this process a concrete activity with a pen and paper if necessary, and do it together. Be fair in your qualification of pros like access to quality content and connecting with friends, and cons like distraction from homework and fatigue.

Make an honest assessment of current tech usage
It can be hard to know for sure how much time we’re actually spending on our devices until we check. The same applies for our children. For any normal week, keep track of how much time your child spends using technology, whether it’s with a computer, smartphone, or TV. Try to assess time spent with tech outside of the house too, but within reason. Do this for yourself as well to show that this is an effort you’re all making in the family.

Create reasonable limits and guidelines
Based on the assessment and on your family’s unique needs, decide on healthy limits that your children can live with. Again, the key is to remind them that this isn’t about punishing excessive use or bad behavior, but a shared goal to make the most of our devices and content. If possible, provide them some decision-making capacity like choosing which device or app to limit the time of.

Enforce reasonable consequences
When these limits are exceeded or guidelines are violated, enforce reasonable consequences. We’ve seen success with a few different approaches. There’s the “negative” approach like confiscating the device for a certain period of time or a “positive” approach like having your child complete a certain number of extra household chores while keeping the device. Guidelines work best when there are repercussions, but it’s not about punishment. These consequences are only reminders to rationally shape your child’s views about tech, rather than cause an emotional reaction.

Keep devices out of the bedroom and away from mealtime
The clearest boundaries we can set for tech-addicted kids are literal boundaries in the house. Choose your tech-free areas and times in your home so there are obvious opportunities to cool off or do other things. The bedroom may be designated as a place only to relax without devices, and family mealtimes may only be for eating and talking. Remember to adhere to these rules yourselves as well!

Practice internet safety
Go over the ins and outs of internet safety with your kids early on, and revisit the information periodically to refresh everyone’s memory. Like most of our recommendations, this topic is also centered around facilitating open communication and asking informed questions. For example, you should be able to ask your kids what their favorite content is these days, who they love talking to the most online, and what games they’re enjoying the most. Internet and device safety tips change for different ages so check out our full guide that has tips for kids and teens.

Make conscious buying decisions
Avoid the trap of buying electronics for your kids out of convenience – make every purchase a conscious choice in introducing a new device, gadget, or toy into your kids’ lives. We recommend creating an environment of conscious consumption where just having a device and consuming content isn’t the default mode in the house. Consider the impact each object will have in the home, and buy objects that are purposely made for kids if possible.

Prepare to adapt over time
Check in on everything above periodically! The agreements you made with a 3 year old may no longer apply to a 4 year old. You can help regulate a child’s use of technology at every age by being proactive and staying up to date on the ever-changing tech landscape. Your earnest interest in new technology and content will contribute to the open and honest dialogue with your child.

Be a role model
Arguably the most effective form of moderating tech use in the house is to set the example yourself. After all, our kids love to mimic what we do. How can we teach our kids to use technology responsibly if we’re not doing it ourselves? Everything we discussed in this article works best when you’re participating in this process with your child, rather than exempting yourself from it.

Tips for keeping your kids sane while using devices and electronics

How to set healthy boundaries for kids about their tech

Learn the secret to setting technology boundaries for kids that work best for your family.

The sheer joy in our children’s faces when they unwrap gifts is something to behold. Whether it’s for a birthday, a holiday, or for something else – presents never get old. We know there are a lot of different considerations to make as parents when choosing a gift, so we put together a list that should have something for everyone. Without further ado, here are our picks for the best kids gifts of 2022, from cool birthday gifts for kids to cool Christmas gifts for kids, to everything else in between. 

Steiff Hoppie rabbit
It doesn’t get more classic than Steiff for your little one’s first plush animal friend or the newest addition to the collection.

Haba Magnetic City
This beautifully made magnetic wooden game is also a logic and fine motor skill training activity.

PlayDoh Set
We don’t think PlayDoh will ever stop being one of the cool gifts for kids any time soon. This starter pack of 8 colors makes for so many color combinations.

VTech crawling bear
This cute interactive plush toy crawls, counts, talks, and sings! It moves at the push of a button and encourages crawling, which promotes motor development.

Fisher Price animal friends song book
A popular sound toy that introduces animal sounds, encourages counting, and has a fun rhyming sing-along quality too.

Mini Steps singalong book
Meet your baby’s first singalong book. There are five well-known singalong songs for kids in German that start automatically when you flip the pages.

Green Toys fire truck
A timeless red fire truck in the vintage style that Green Toys is known for. The big wheels roll smoothly on any surface and the ladder moves up and down with ease.

Sandbox set
Don’t leave for the beach or the playground without this 14 piece sandbox cooking set for little kids.

DUPLO set
What does every kid want? From our experience, Lego is often a winner. Get your little one started on a lifelong Lego journey with this Duplo set.

Goki wagon
Once your children start walking, they’ll want to start pushing too. This wagon will move wherever their hearts desire.

Tonies Toniebox
Parents can’t stop raving about the Toniebox and the magical audio world that they unlock.

Ravensburger Tiptoi
One of those cool educational gifts for kids that has plenty of replay value that you might also find interesting as a parent.

Mucki Fingerfarbe
Kids love making a beautiful mess sometimes! They might as well do it with completely safe and bright finger paint.

Vtech 100 Word Book
You’ll be amazed at how quickly kids pick up words, and there’s 100 of them in this talking book.

LEGO classic set
Once your kids are ready to graduate to regular Lego from Duplo, you’ll want to get this classic set.

Reds Swim Academy swimming trainer
This bright red swimming trainer is a can’t-miss item with smart safety features for any body of water.

Children’s yoga picture cards
Healthy mobility is important at every age! There are 30 poses in this book with friendly illustrations.

Magnetic painting board
Encourage the budding artist in your family with this magnetic painting board that makes it easy to draw and erase.

Sachen Suchen book
Didn’t you love hidden picture books when you were a kid? This book paints a colorful portrait of life on a busy farm that’s a feast for the eyes.

Niagara Blue water track
Wondering what to give a kid who has everything? Well, you can add this impressive play set to the list. It’s a fully functional water park with multiple toys and interactive elements.

Fitbit Ace 3
We rate this wearable high on our list of cool tech gifts for kids. Why? It’s practical and they won’t outgrow it in a year.

Kearui walkie talkies
Here’s a gift with a retro flavor. Help your kids run around, hide, seek, and stay in touch instantly with these walkie talkies.

Hudora scooter
The thrill of riding a scooter never seems to get old! It’s also a great way to encourage kids to get outside.

Stabilo watercolor and wax crayon set
Inspire the inner artist with this high quality crayon set that also includes a sharpener.

LEGO Space Station set
There are so many amazing Lego sets to choose from, but we’re partial to the ones that may inspire a love of science and exploration.

Ravensburger Junior Labyrinth
We love a good board game that kids can play on their own or invite the whole family to get involved with.

Bosch tool box
There’s more to this toy tool box than meets the eye! The power drill actually rotates with realistic sound.

KOSMOS herb garden
This is more than just a toy – kids can actually grow edible herbs and see the magic of nature with their own eyes.

Der größte Schatz der Welt book
This beloved picture book is a heartwarming tale that has stood the test of time.

Warum Quiz
This is an age when your kids will be information sponges, and this is the perfect game full of facts and information to satisfy their curiosity.

LEGO BOOST creative toolbox
Another one of our favorite tech gifts for kids and yet another Lego item on our list – this creative toolbox is an amazing opportunity for older kids to dig into their imagination. It’s also a healthy introduction to STEM ideas.

Bop It
Yes the Bop It is still around! It’s a durable and timeless toy that kids still never get bored of.

Tamagotchi
Largely unchanged for decades, the Tamagotchi is as addictive as it’s ever been.

Kosmos bath experiment set
Here’s a cool science gift for kids. A versatile experiment set that you can safely play with at home.

Hudora big wheel scooter
Once your kids are big enough, it’s time to level up to a bigger scooter.

Trivial Pursuit family edition
Family game nights never go out of style! Trivial Pursuit is one of the all time classics.

Kriogor children’s digital camera
This camera’s easy to use, takes great pictures, and provides an outlet besides a smartphone or tablet.

Settlers of Catan board game
Inspire a competitive and creative streak with this cult classic game.

RC truck
Remember wishing for one of these when you were a kid?

Nintendo Switch Lite
It’s on the pricier side, but studies keep showing the benefits of video games, and there are plenty of great titles to choose from on the Switch.

The coolest kids gifts you can find in 2022

Cool kids gifts for every occasion

Whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, or any other occasion, these are the best gifts for kids in 2022.

How to explain today's tech lingo to your kids

Technology and language are both constantly evolving – the name we used for something when we were kids may be different for our kids today. This article will spell out some of the most common technology terms for kids in ways that they’ll understand, plus some terms that we need to know as well as parents of older kids.

Device
Any piece of electronics equipment, usually something handheld.

Tablet
A portable computer with a screen you can touch and interact with. It’s usually larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop.

Smart (device)
A device is “smart” when it’s connected to other devices in some way. A smartphone is smart because it connects to the internet, and can connect to other smartphones.

Hardware
All the physical parts of a computer or piece of electronic equipment.

Software
All the non-physical parts that make a computer or device run properly, including all the instructions to make it work.

Internet
What we connect to when we go online. It’s everything that’s available when many computers are connected together.

WiFi
Wireless internet! This is available in a specific area where computers and other devices can connect to use the internet without plugging in a cable.

Top technology terms for kids

This list of common technology terms includes definitions that are easy for kids to understand.

The thoughtful app
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The thoughtful appfor happy kids