The Yoto Player has become my favourite piece of tech in a world of screens (aff)

I never thought I would become one of those parents who worries about technology. I grew up alongside it. I love convenience, I love streaming, I love that my son can learn things instantly that would have taken me hours to find in a library growing up. I’m not anti-tech in the slightest.

But somewhere along the way, I started feeling uncomfortable with how much of childhood now seems to happen through screens.It creeps in slowly and then all of a sudden conversations revolve around Roblox and bedtime becomes a negotiation over “five more minutes”.

I got tired of checking settings and wondering who my child might be talking to online. That’s why the Yoto Player felt different.

Yoto has become one of those brands many parents seem to discover and then suddenly start hearing about everywhere. The screen-free audio players have built a loyal following by giving children stories, music, learning content and podcasts without putting another tablet or phone in front of them.

Using physical cards that slot straight into the player, even younger children can choose what they want to listen to themselves, with a library now stretching to more than 1,000 titles including favourites such as Harry Potter, The Gruffalo and music from major artists.

The first thing I noticed was how engaged my son was without becoming completely consumed. He was listening rather than mindlessly staring at a screen. Imagining rather than scrolling.

What surprised me most is that he absolutely loves his Yoto player. I think adults sometimes underestimate children and assume they only want high-speed entertainment and flashing graphics. But kids still love stories.

My little boy loves choosing a card and deciding what he wants to listen to. He carries it around the house like a treasured little possession. It feels more intentional than an iPad ever has. There’s no endless cycle of clicking onto the next thing and no overstimulation.

I cannot overstate how exhausting modern parenting can feel when it comes to technology. It’s like being permanently on guard. Even the games everyone says are “fine” come with caveats and worries and monitoring. I don’t want to spend my entire life policing devices. I don’t want every evening to become a battle over screen time.

The Yoto is one of the few pieces of technology I’ve brought into our home that actually feels calming. I’m realistic enough to know we can’t shield him from technology forever, but I do think there’s value in creating spaces where kids can just be kids.

Natalie Dixon is our Lifestyle reporter, if you liked this article and want to read more about fashion, beauty and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here.

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