Encourage your kids to spend valuable time on mobile/laptop
- 5 Minutes Read -
You care more about your child's happiness and success than anyone else. That means guiding him or her not only in the real world but also in the always-on virtual one in today's digitally-fueled times. Teach your children how to use technology responsibly and to develop the skills and habits that will help them become successful digital citizens. We'll walk you through how to make technology work for your family at every stage of the journey
The impact of screens on our lives is enormous, So much so that what we see and hear has gradually (but steadily) shaped our minds.
Imagine what kind of impact this has on our children if this is the case for us adults.
Given that children's brain development peaks at age 7 and continues to grow until age 12, what they see, do, and hear at this age will shape their entire future.
But, before we get started, it's important to understand one thing: screen time has become a source of contention for parents because today's children are referred to as "digital babies."
On the one hand, you can't completely remove them from technology because that would simply handicap them in the future.
They shouldn't, on the other hand, use too much of it! So, where are you going to draw the line?
Top 3 Points to Keep in Mind
A few simple parenting rules will assist you in establishing ground rules and maintaining tech harmony at home.
1. Strive for equilibrium
It's obvious that technology is here to stay, and the world is becoming increasingly digital. That's a good thing in many ways. With tools that help children learn in fun and engaging ways, express their creativity, and stay connected to others, technology can be empowering for children of all ages. Children who are tech-savvy will also be better prepared for a digitally-dominated workforce.
At the same time, parents are naturally concerned about their children accessing inappropriate online content, the impact of too much screen time on healthy development, and their children becoming technologically dependent.
A balanced approach to these new challenges, as with most situations, works best.
Here are a few things to consider as you try to strike this delicate balance:
There is no one size fits all formula for success, but you'll recognize it when you see it.
If your family can enjoy the benefits of technology while avoiding many of the negative consequences, and you're comfortable with how your children use technology, you've likely found a happy medium.
Keep an eye out for the warning signs of excessive use of technology.
Parents should keep track of their children when:
- When children do not have access to technology, they complain that they are bored or unhappy.
- When you set screen time limits, you may get tantrums or strong resistance.
- Sleep, school, and face-to-face communication are all disrupted by screen time.
Prepare to come back to this subject again and again.
Your children's use of technology will increase as they get older. Also, even a few years from now, it's difficult to predict what the digital world will look like. Your definition of what constitutes "healthy" and "unhealthy" technology usage will need to be updated on a regular basis.
Here are some suggestions for assessing the quality of your children's digital interactions (which you should do on a regular basis):
- Do they have access to content that is appropriate for their age?
- Are the apps they're using interactive and thought-provoking, as opposed to passive? All screen time is not created equal.
- Returning to the food analogy, 100 calories in a doughnut are not the same as 100 calories in a salad; an hour spent watching YouTube videos is not the same as an hour spent working in a digital art program.
- Are your older children's social media and other online accounts' privacy settings set to limit what strangers can see and who can contact them?
- To balance online and offline activities, set screen time limits.
Despite the importance of quality, you'll probably want to set some screen time limits for your family to free up time for activities other than screens and technology. While the debate over how many hours children should spend on screens before becoming unhealthy continues, you can set firm boundaries for tech-free times, such as at dinner, in the car, or on school nights.
2. Act as a role model for others
Parents, like children, are drawn in by technology's irresistible pull. We check our phones every hour, work late or surf the web on our laptops, binge watch our favorite shows, and even engage in potentially dangerous "distracted walking." Children are likely to not only imitate our actions but also to believe that they must compete for our attention with devices. In one study, nearly half of parents said that technology interfered with their child's interactions three or more times per day.
Google and Apple are beginning to address this growing concern about technology taking over our lives by introducing new phone features such as time limits for specific apps (on Android) and statistics on device usage (for iOS). While digital tools can help us limit our gadget usage, the best way to teach children the critical skill of unplugging is to practice and demonstrate mindful use of technology ourselves.
Set aside time for work and time with your family. The following are some key times to unplug:
- When picking up or dropping off children at school, keep in mind that they are in a transitional period.
- When you get home from work, it's time to reconnect with your family over meals, including when dining out during outings such as trips to the park or zoo, or during vacations when the focus is on family time.
3. Make technology a part of your family's life
Your family is probably debating important issues that affect the group on a daily basis, such as who should do the dishes and where you should go on your next vacation. Technology use should be planned in the same way, so that everyone is on board and has the same expectations.
Keep an eye out for signs that your child is substituting screen time for offline activities he used to enjoy, if sleep begins to suffer as a result of late-night tech use, and if in person interactions (such as family dinners) are being supplanted by devices.
As with most parenting topics, maintaining open lines of communication is critical to ensuring that your family reaps the benefits of technology while avoiding the negative consequences.
Conclusion
When it comes to limiting their children's screen time and encouraging them to use it for beneficial activities, parents should take the right approach. Learning educational content from YouTube or browsing informative articles that provide students with information that schools and other institutes do not provide are examples of such activities. Using technology for good can aid in the development of a child's mind set. The more enthusiastically parents implement this concept, the more beneficial it will be for the children.
Thanks for reading!
