Tips to cut kids’ screen time
When you were a child, did you
sleep on the couch with your siblings and argue about what show you would watch
on family TV? Today, your kids have far fewer restrictions when it comes to
screen control. They can watch several at once and take them with them wherever
they go.
As amazing as technology is,
your child will benefit from spending less time with it. Outside of homework,
school-age children should spend no more than an hour or two a day behind a
screen.
There are many potential
harmful effects of screen time on children, from newborns to late teens and
even young adults.
When kids watch a lot of
fast-paced shows that jump quickly from scene to scene, they may have trouble
concentrating in class later on.
Children who spend too much
time in front of a screen may have other problems, such as not getting enough
sleep or excessive weight gain.
Children who watch TV and play
video games for hours every day may miss out on opportunities for face-to-face
learning, outdoor play time, and socializing with friends. Our biggest question
has to be, 'What's pushing this screen time out?
How to make a cut
With screens everywhere, it
can seem even more difficult to cut down on a child's time with them. But the
limits are worth it. Try these tricks to remove them from those devices, at
least for a little while.
- Do not give children their own tablet or smartphone. Communicate with your children. Do this instead of giving
them an electronic device.
- Keep computers and TVs in common areas of your home. When your kids use screens in the kitchen or living room,
it's easier for them to keep track of what they're watching, the games they're
playing and the websites they're on.
- Add tech-free time to your family's schedule. At any age, kids should be aware that there are certain
times when the screens remain off, such as during meals and before bed. Better
yet, set aside time every week for the whole family to do something fun
together - the use of devices is prohibited.
- See how often you use your own home appliances. If you put your face on your phone, your kids won't see a
good reason why they should look up from their screens. Moreover, these devices
affect the time you spend with your children. Researchers who have studied families
in fast food restaurants have noticed that parents are often more focused on
their smartphones than on their children at the table.
- Make restrictions a regular part of screen usage. When the rules are clear and consistent, you can avoid
the daily battles of telling kids to turn off the TV, computer, or phone.
- Be prepared to explain different screen time limits. After your kids have spent hours watching TV at a
friend's house, they may wonder why your periods are different. This is an
opportunity to talk to your children about your family values.
- Help your kids find other ways to have fun. If a child has nothing to do but look at the screen, then
we shouldn't be surprised when he does." Keep other options — art
supplies, books, frisbees, and bikes — on hand for when your kids pretend they
have nothing else to do.
- Make technology work for you. Use programs and apps that can be set to turn off
computers, tablets, and smartphones after a certain period of time.
- Adjust screen time limits as your child grows. For high school students and teenagers, parents may want
to involve them more in the decision-making process. You could talk to them
about how much screen time the whole family should have. If you have a plan,
stick to it.
- Consider donating or recycling your old electronics. Usually there are a lot of devices in households and they are abandoned and moved to other places. It's good to take inventory and see if the technology can be limited.