Computers, TVs and other gadgets are now part of the everyday lives of our children. Life has become easier with these devices. Amazing documentaries and help with assignments are some of the advantages. Many Moms are always happy when their children are busy because they’d be free to do other things. Unlimited time with electronics is one way to keep your child busy but this may not be too good for your child.
By age seven, it is estimated that your child would have spent a full year in front of a screen by age seven. Also, excessive screen time may prevent a child from observing and experiencing everyday activities. They need to observe and experience those activities to learn. Children learn less from a video than from another person. The light from screens can also affect the sleep cycle of your kids.
Some Other Disadvantages Of Excess Screen Time For Your Kids Include:
- Diseases like obesity, heart disease, back pain, strain and poor eyesight.
- Mental issues like anxiety, screen addiction, depression, less connection to reality, being prone to peer pressure and cyberbullying.
- Social disadvantages like having fewer friends, limited social skills, being aggressive and irritable.
- Intelligence disadvantages like lower grades, less likely to read and do assignments, spend less time on play and reduced attention span.
These and other harmful effects are the reasons why you should reduce your kids screen time.
So How Can You Reduce Your Kids Screen Time?
1.) Set a good example
Remember your kids watch and learn from you. So set a good example by limiting the time you spend in front of a screen. Prioritize social and family time so they can learn from you.
2.) Be Updated on Electronics
Kids born nowadays are tech-savvy and know more about electronics than their parents. So you need to stay updated on latest apps, games and social media trend. You can’t teach your child about the risks of social media if you don’t understand the dangers. You won’t also be able to stop them from consuming some types of media if you don’t understand the rating.
3.) Create Technology-Free Zones
There should be some places in your house where no electronics should not be allowed. Whether cell phones, handheld video games or laptops. Places like the dining and kitchen should be reserved for meals and family conversations.
4.) Set time to unplug
There should be times your whole family unplug from their technological devices. Times like dinner or bedtime should be no technology time. This will help the family spend time together. You can even do a longer family detox over a school break or vacation. There can even be a screen-free day during the week
5.) Parental Control
You can use this to protect your kids from viewing explicit content on TV and the internet. You can’t control everything your kids do but you can control what they watch and browse. Parental control is available on most routers, web browsers and TVs for you to filter or block unwanted content. You can also use the parental control feature to stop your kids from watching anything at all. On smartphones, you can also block some sites, searches or keywords.
6.) Set Daily limit for Screen time
Your family, your rules. So set a limit for children’s screen time daily to not more than two hours.
7.) Explain Why You are Limiting Their Screen Time
If your kids don’t understand why you are limiting their screen time, they may resist it or break the rules you set. So discuss the reasons for your actions with them. Also tell them about the dangers of violent content and excessive video games in a way they can understand.
8.) Ask for your child’s passwords
You may want to have your kids online and social media passwords because they may not be able to handle online interactions. You can discuss this option with other members of your family. But you should figure out as a parent the best way to protect your child without breaching their privacy.
9.) Encourage other Activities
Gen Z kids and beyond are too reliant on Apps, games, devices and content for entertainment. As a parent, you should encourage them to get involved in other activities that don’t need screen. Activities like reading a book, playing board games and playing outside are worthwhile.
You can also make a rule that there is a time when screens are not allowed.
10.) Make Screen time a Privilege
If screen time is a privilege rather than a right for your kids, it will limit their screen time. You can also use removal of their gadgets like video games, phones and laptops as a form of punishment.
When you have done this, don’t make the mistake of rewarding them with extra screen time. Stick to the daily limits
11.) Keep the Child’s Bedroom Screen-free
You won’t be able to monitor how your kids screen use in their rooms. So you might want to make a rule that TVs, video game and computers are not allowed in their bedrooms. Handheld devices should also be included because they may use them late at night.
12.) Set time every day for homework or practising an instrument or learning a skill.
When you replay screen time with something productive like learning a skill or practising an instrument, you kids will have something else to look forward to.
13.) Let your children earn their screen time by helping out at home.
Note that they are not earning extra screen time but their regular screen time.
So make a decision about the rules you want for your children about screen time. This will be good for your child’s development for the months and years ahead. Consistency is very important here!