Screens are part of daily life, from phones to tablets, TVs, and computers. They are unavoidable and essential, yet like food, too much screen time can be harmful for both parents and adults. Excess screen time can affect your child’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being by disrupting their sleep, affecting their attention span, or exposing them to unhealthy lifestyles that affect their well-being.
If you struggle with managing your child’s screen time, chances are you’ve tried many methods such as:
Limiting or withdrawing screen time as a punishment for wrongdoing: The danger of this is that it can make screens seem even more desirable and increase your child’s dependence on them.
Rewarding good behaviours with (more) screen time: Like with punishments, this makes screens more desirable and does not help you address the root cause of addiction.
Using screen time as a babysitting or relaxing method: It is often tempting to use screen time to calm your child down or part of a sleep routine for older children but more studies show that screen time at bedtime negatively affects children’s sleep health.
A Counterintuitive Approach to Managing Your Child’s Screen Time
Like other unhealthy life habits, excessive screen time is difficult to tackle because we actually enjoy it. Usually, our first response is to demonize screen time but this only adds to our guilt when we find ourselves back at it. There has to be a better way. We propose these counterintuitive approaches to help you better manage your child’s screen time:
Recognize The Good
It is helpful to recognize the areas where screens can benefit your child. Since screens are a daily part of life, it is only then that you can use them to your advantage. Some educational shows promote learning, problem-solving, social connections, and creativity.
Use Screen Time as an Activity, Not a Filler: Treat screen time as a specific activity within the daily routine, rather than something that fills gaps in the day.
Model Good Screen Habits: Children learn by observing, so show them healthy screen habits, like putting your phone away during family time or simply, not being on your phone all the time.
Encourage Offline Activities: Encourage interests that don’t involve screens, like sports, reading, or family games. This helps children appreciate non-digital forms of entertainment.
Set Boundaries: Use parental controls to monitor and limit app usage. For teenagers, review social media settings to help them understand digital safety.
Communicate Firmly and Openly: For teenagers, talk openly about the influence of social media, cyberbullying, and online safety. Help them understand the importance of a balanced digital life.
Final Thoughts
Managing screen time effectively is all about creating a healthy balance. For toddlers, it is important to focus on real-world interactions, while for teenagers, building self-discipline is key. With consistency at the right approach, you can help your child and yourself enjoy the benefits of screens while protecting your well-being.
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