Why Parler
What the research says about kids and screens, and what we did about it.
Every number here links to its source. We’ve also listed what the research does not show, because you should know that too.
The issue
It keeps going, and it starts young
Daily YouTube use among 2–4 year olds rose from 38% to 51%. Among under-2s, from 24% to 35%. Pew, 2025. Pediatricians now focus on design such as autoplay and endless scroll. AAP, 2026
Every book ends. There's no feed, and no ads.
The issue
Parents worry, and feel guilty
75% of US parents call too much screen time a big problem. Mott, 2025. 60% feel guilty about it. Lurie, 2025
When your child finishes a book, it shows up in your Needs you list, so you can read it together and send it on.
The issue
Sometimes you need the screen
65% of caregivers use screens to keep young children occupied. RAPID, 2026. About 1 in 5 young children use a device to calm down, eat or fall asleep. Common Sense
Your child can make and read books on their own.
The issue
Family languages fade
About 21% of US school-age children speak another language at home. ChildStats. Most people from immigrant families have limited fluency in the heritage language by the third generation. CAL
Your child's real day, read aloud in the family's language, with checklists in it too, and grandparents who can read it, hear it and send a heart.
What reading research supports
- Narrated books with pictures that match the words give small, reliable gains in understanding and vocabulary. Takacs et al., 2015
- Games and hotspots inside a story can distract children and reduce that benefit, so we leave games out of the reading. Same study
- Talking about stories with an adult builds young children’s vocabulary. Mol et al., 2008
What the research doesn’t show
- No study has tested Parler’s full loop yet.
- We don’t claim Parler reverses anything about attention, or that it teaches reading faster.
- Most of these surveys are of US parents. Your family may differ.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has not reviewed or endorsed Parler. We cite it for what it says about design.
- Parler is still a screen. Use it alongside books, outdoors and everything else.
Start with today.
14 days free, no card. After that, pay for pictures. Reading stays free.
First Page free · Storybook $9.99 a month · Bookshelf $19.99 a month · See all pricing