Children and teens are growing up in the digital world. Social media is an easy trap for kids to spend their valuable period in this zone which can cut their hours used for sleep, reading, homework or some fun play time. They use tablets, smartphones, computers, watch television, play video-game console etc..,.During COVID time this  technology save us from education loss, aid kids did video chat with friends , help all to socialize with each other’s and it give us daily update also.

Screen time include like surfing about any topic on google (may be school project),watching art and craft on you tube and try to make some of them, chatting with friends via so many social apps, playing games online, viewing Netflix series or TV shows.

LESS SCREEN TIME

MORE SUNSHINE

 

Teens get easily fascinated by these social platform and they are more independent, but it should be under parent control how often their teens must use it. They should not be rude, but smartly they can do that and one most important thing that we have to be patience and gradually with smartness we would grab this milestone.

My niece screen story before:–

My  niece (8-year old) always try to find small reasons to pick up her mom phone like writing some notes as reminder, searching  YouTube channel – watching art and craft for 5 minutes etc. But her 5 minutes became 20 minutes and her mom got tired from all these screen tantrums. So, I decided to find a way and she tried these small tricks recently and sometimes it really works well with her.

But on Saturday and Sunday she got some extra time to spend on watching her favorite episodes on Netflix. So, she got easily agreed on  restriction policy….

So, I just thought this digital media is a story of every house and parents especially mothers are very much frustrated .I am sharing some ideas which I recently applied with my daughter and niece also and it might help with your bachas also.

Parents play an important part in teaching their kudos how to use screen time in a smarter way to enhance daily life.

DOWNSIDES OF EXCESS SCREEN TIME:-

• It cause inadequate sleep, poor academic performance ,sedentary life-style –obesity, some sort of mental health issue like depression, being upset, loneliness.
• Social and behavioral problem.
• Eye side poor, wear spectacles in small age.
  

   Smart Ideas to limit screen time

   

  Be a role model:-

• Being parents we should cut down our screen time on priority, so we should start with ourselves as kids imitate their parents. We allow them to watch their favorite TV shows while eating food. It should be strict NO at dining table. In fact no one should be allowed to do that. Just cherish each and every bite of food cooked by your mother. Initially parents need to set an example ,then only children will do whatever he/she saw in her surroundings.

 

 

• Proper conversation: – Just elaborate what is right for your child’s age, which TV shows, movies, and videogames can be harmful to them.. Tell them about dangers of these online predators and be sure when they are ready to follow the rules then every family members must also need to stick these regulations. It is our right to add healthy behaviors and subtract unhealthy aspects from their lives.
• Inspire them for other screen-free activities:-

Do not ban them to use gadgets in one shot. Encourage them to seek out and get involved in activities that does not require a screen like outdoor play, book reading, picking out an old board game etc. Take them to an adventurous tour which is positive and fun way to reinforce positive consequences on them. They are more attracted to screen, using tablets if you continuously reminding them about their messy room or finishing their homework, assignments etc.

Try to spend family time which has a significant impact on child s mind.

• Always make teenagers bedroom screen free:–

Make an important rule that all these digital media are not allowed in their bedroom. It also includes mobile phones that they might be tempted to use at late night, which could disturb their sleep duration. Make sure that teens plug in their phones, tabs in a room other than there bedroom at night.

• Establish clearly set time limit:–

Parents need to be firm for kids better future sometime like the time limit you set had to strictly followed .Foe eg:-My relatives niece got  a time duration of 30 minutes in evening she sometime beg for more 15 minutes but her mom did not melt in front of her. So be little firm and consistent as possible.

She like to watch PEEKABOO KIDZ which is good YouTube channel to enhance her knowledge. So her mom pleased what she is viewing within 30 minutes.

It has advantages like children learn ,enhance their knowledge and socialize ,but excessive use of it has bad impact on health and mind ,they limit their boundaries, within that a digital platform cut off from their owns . They just sit on chair and press buttons and led a sedentary life style which became their part of daily schedule.

But if slowly we as parents starts to limit their screen time by adopting above ideas, it  make teens to interact with family, outside play, doing some sort of exercise, reading a book, some social work etc. It can led a positive effect on kid’s physical, social and behavioral well-being.

Be smart to set limits and it is never late to made healthy rules during screen time.

Just keep this HOME rule in mind:

H-Happier, healthy mind and body, helping more

O-Obsessed with other screen free activities

M-More creative

E-Energetic

I know this blog is quite lengthy but read it till last it would be worth full for you.

Please be sure to share this useful blog with other parents as well and do comment which idea you like the most in comment box.

SAYING NO

TO SCREEN TIME MEANS

SAYING YES

TO SOMETHING ELSE