Under the influence of the present digital age, controlling the use of screens for children has become one of the most valued aspects of parenting. Overindulgence in screens is harmful to and negatively influences a child's physical health, cognitive development, and even social growth. Let's go through these seven useful strategies that can help to regain control over your children's screen time:
1. Model Healthy Screen Habits
Children often learn by imitation. By modeling good screen use, you show him/her how to behave appropriately. Your screen time should be limited at times when you are interacting with your family, having meals together, and at bedtime. You can read or play outside or engage in other hobbies to model that there are interesting and enjoyable things to do aside from your screen (1).
2. Establish Screen-Free Areas and Times
Designate specific areas in your home as no screen zones, for instance, the dining room and bedrooms. Establish a screen-free timetable for periods, for example, during meals, at family times, and an hour before going to bed. In this way, children will know that screens are not at the core of life(2).
3. Set clear rules and consistent limits concerning screen use.
Establish clear rules for screen use, including time limits and types of acceptable content. Remember, consistency counts—follow the rules yourself, too. Make use of tools like parental controls to set limits and monitor screen time (3).
4. Encourage Alternative Activities
Give your child various other enjoyable, off-screen activities that will be of interest to him or her. Some children love playing outdoors, playing sports, doing crafts, reading, or playing board games. Where there are several other entertaining options, there is less need to turn to the screen to entertain themselves (1).
5. Use Screens as a Privilege, Not a Right
Position screen time as a reward that kids only receive through good behavior, doing chores, or finishing homework. This helps the child to see screen time as something valuable and makes sure that other responsibilities and activities come first over screen time.
6. Be Involved in Their Screen Time
Co-view and co-play with your children so that screen time becomes a shared experience between the two of you. Discuss with them the content that they are consuming, with the likelihood of positively challenging them. This way, you are able to monitor what they are watching and deepen your connection with them.
7. Allow for Boredom
Children also need to be bored because boredom fosters creativity and problem-solving. Just leave your kid to be bored and create solutions independently, without seeking solace behind a screen's blue light. Encourage your children to find ways to entertain themselves without relying on digital devices.
Implement these, and you are setting your child on a good relationship with screens since their times on digital devices will be well balanced and for a good purpose. So, it is not to discard but, rather, manage the use in a very appropriate manner to make sure that the children achieve their total well-being.
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(1) How and why, you should limit screen time for kids - Children's Health. https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/screen-time-guidelines.
(2) Limit Screen Time and Get Your Kids (and the Whole Family) Moving. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/limit-screen-time-and-get-your-kids-and-the-whole-family-moving.
(3) Screen Time and Children - AACAP. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx.
(4) Screen Time for Kids: Recommendations and Guidelines - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/screen-time-for-kids.
