HITN Media, through its preschool streaming platform Edye and wellness brand Vida y Salud, is addressing one of the most pressing challenges of modern parenting with a new townhall titled Los niños y el tiempo en pantalla (Children and Screen Time). The Spanish-language program, airing Sunday, September 13 at 8:00pm EDT/PDT on HITN TV and available for free on HITNGO, offers a practical guide for Hispanic families navigating the complex relationship between preschoolers and electronic devices.
Hosted by journalist Nathalia Ortiz, the townhall features developmental and behavioral pediatrician Dr. Nidsy Mejía Roque and pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Fernanda Lucchese-Lobato. It also includes insights from Dr. Thresia Gambon, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); Matías Dodel, PhD, professor at the Catholic University of Uruguay; and Lina Acosta Sandaal, a development expert and founder of Stop Parenting Alone. In-person surveys conducted by parenting blogger Mariela Irala add real-world perspectives.
The initiative matters because it moves beyond simplistic screen-time limits to consider content quality, context, and displacement of other activities. As Guillermo Sierra, EVP and Head at HITN Media, noted, 'This issue is urgent and highly relevant to our Latino audiences: the trends we see in the United States often set the tone globally, and parents need to be empowered with clear, evidence-based information that is guilt free.' The program aligns with AAP digital media guidelines, which encourage families to reflect on the quality and context of digital experiences rather than focusing solely on minutes.
For Hispanic families, who often face unique cultural and linguistic barriers in accessing reliable health information, this townhall provides trusted, Spanish-language guidance. It avoids blaming parents while posing key questions: Is it just about screen time, or does content matter too? How do viewing habits and whether children are alone or accompanied shape their experience? What activities and relationships get displaced? When should adults step in, and how can limits be set without turning technology into a constant source of conflict?
The program is the first of many initiatives HITN will roll out on this topic. 'We want to lead the movement, initiate a critically important conversation, and empower parents to manage this challenge for the benefit of their children,' Sierra added. By joining forces with Vida y Salud and Edye, HITN Media reinforces its commitment to providing Spanish-speaking families with trusted content on health, wellness, and child development. Vida y Salud, through VidaySalud.com and as a programming block on HITN TV, offers articles, videos, and medical resources. Edye, available at edye.com, supports this mission with practical resources and evidence-based guidance.
The implications extend beyond individual households. As digital media becomes ubiquitous, the townhall sets a precedent for culturally tailored, evidence-based conversations that empower parents to build healthier relationships with technology—for both children and adults. It signals a shift from guilt-driven restrictions to informed, context-aware decision-making, a model that could influence how other media companies and health organizations engage Latino communities on critical parenting issues.
