Yoto, the award-winning screen-free audio platform for kids, has released the findings of new research that discovered 86% of parents worry about the impact of screen time on their child’s health and development.
Nearly half (48%) of parents expressed significant concerns about both the short and long-term consequences.
Parents report anxiety around how screen devices may affect children’s ability to focus, interact, and engage in creative play—skills that are essential for early development. But, despite this, 8 in 10 (80%) Irish parents reported that they feel pressure to buy screen led devices for kids this Christmas.
The research also found that 65% of Irish parents feel there are not enough screen-free options for children. Many parents are noticing a decline in imaginative play, with 30% feeling their child doesn’t engage in imaginative activities often enough.
With screen time concerns weighing heavily on parents, Yoto, an interactive audio platform for kids, offers a screen-free solution.
The company’s design philosophy, inspired by Montessori principles, encourages children to explore storytelling, music and educational content with total independence, building confidence and curiosity without the overstimulation associated with screens.
Their devices have tactile controls that encourage little ones as young as three to independently select and engage with content in the form of Yoto cards, with a library of over 1,000 kids audiobooks, music albums, podcasts and more to foster creativity and storytelling skills that are essential for cognitive and social development.
Privacy and ad-free play is clearly a top priority for parents as the research also found that 77% of parents want to protect their children from targeted ads while they play. Yoto offers ad-free audio content with no microphones or cameras, giving parents peace of mind that their children’s playtime is both safe and private.
Ben Drury, Yoto Co-founder and CEO, said: "We understand how challenging it can be to manage screen time, and we recognise the growing concerns about its long-term effects on children. We founded Yoto with the aim to provide something that not only eases these worries but also helps to spark imagination and creativity through the best audio for kids. Our goal is to let kids be kids, encouraging their independence whilst also fostering their natural curiosity by helping them explore the very best audio content designed with them in mind.”
Yoto gives children the freedom to immerse themselves in a world of creative, hands-on learning with its extensive library of over 1,000 Yoto cards. Each card unlocks unique audio content, from classic tales and modern music to Yoto Original stories and songs, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play and learning.
The Yoto Player and the portable Yoto Mini have features that extend beyond playtime, making them especially helpful for busy schedules over the festive season. The devices include an OK-to-wake digital clock, free sleep sounds, and toothbrush, tidy up and homework timers.
The larger Yoto Player even includes a room thermometer and customisable nightlight, empowering parents to set routines for children and ease them into bedtimes and daily schedules—a particularly useful tool as family routines shift during the holidays.
There is up to 14 hours of play on a single charge and both players are compatible with Bluetooth and wired headphones.
Available online, the Yoto Player retails at €99.99, while its smaller sibling, which is ideal for on-the-go use the Yoto Mini, is available at €69.99.
