Immediately after the Apple iPad was introduced to the world, videos starting popping up on the Web showing very young kids using it. Almost as quickly came concerns from parents about whether it was wise to allow their kids to use these devices for hours—or at all—just as worries about kids watching too much television or doing too much Web surfing arose when TVs and personal computers started to become ubiquitous.

Parents are faced with decisions to make about how to integrate new technology into their family life—including new mom and tech journalist Natali Morris (née Del Conte). Natali has covered consumer electronics as a writer and TV reporter, and as new mom, she is always on the hunt for the gadgets and tools that will make her a better parent. “I agree that using an iPad or TV as a babysitter is a bad idea,” says Natali, “but using them for education has become invaluable to me. These devices have so many learning tools that I would never think to keep them from my child.”

I’m with Natali, which is why we plan to have her begin writing blog posts for us on good apps and other tech tools for kids, from toddlers to teens. In doing so, we acknowledge that we may rankle some parents and organizations who are concerned about the growing amount and impact of what might collectively be characterized as “screen time” for kids.

Some of the issues raised include screen time’s possible effects on young brain development, as well as decreased physical activity and its adverse impact on health. It’s for those reasons that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under the age of 2, and for older kids, no more than 2 hours a day.

Parents and researchers also wonder about the effect of too much screen time on kids’ social development and their ability to focus and pay attention. And especially regarding mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones, some also—rightly—worry that these gadgets aren’t necessarily safety-tested for kids, adding one more reason to use electronics devices along with them, or for older children, at least to be nearby.

Currently, though, despite many theories, no research is yet definitive on how screen time affects kids. Some theories seem almost self-evident: For example, if kids sit more, they exercise less—but then again, there are motion-based gaming devices like the Nintendo Wii, Sony Move, and Microsoft Kinect that can encourage movement.

Natali’s advice—and my own, as a fellow parent—is to set reasonable limits and to be vigilant as to how your child is using computers, mobile phones, TVs, e-book readers, tablets, and other screened devices. And regardless of how a parent may feel on this topic, more information is better than less; our reviews will be here, if people need them.

What do you think and perhaps do, as a parent yourself? Let us know by commenting below.