How to make the screen time effective for kids

 “Don’t let screen time replace family.”

I remember when I use to be a kid,I use to camp out on the couch with siblings and fight over what show to watch on the TV but with the family. But today, our kids decidedly have fewer limits when it comes to having a control on the screen time. They make sure to watch their favourite programmes at once, and carry their handset along with them wherever they go. Have the times really changed for all of us?

The screens virtually almost everywhere, controlling it while in this time can be supremely challenging. As a Parent, I agree that some screen time is and can be educational for children for their social and academic development. So how do you as a Parent/Guardian manage your children’s screen time? Here is an introduction on guiding your child's use of screens especially in these times.

Is it ok to Encourage digital literacy?

It’s for sure that at some point of time your child will be exposed to content that you will not be aware of or must not approved of, they might also use devices without internet filters. Have an open discussion with your child about situations that might occur, also share your expectation about it. Most importantly we need to encourage our children to analyse things around them critically especially what is shown to them on their screens. Ask them whether everything shown on the internet is appropriate for them in their growing years?

Setting limits for children

I would suggest, as a Parent that set sensible limits for your children’s routine including screen time, especially if your kid’s use of screens is disturbing his involvement in other important activities then please Consider these guidelines:

Prioritise playtime.

Design/Create tech-free zones or times replace it with reading.

Kindly discourage use of media entertainment during homework.

Enforce daily/weekly screen time curfews.

Always

Keep mobiles/Laptops out of your child's bedroom.

Very Important to Make the Cut

As a Parent, with screens everywhere around,it can surely be harder to cut down on a child’s time with them, but certainly limits are worth it. As a Parent I try not to give my kid personal tablet or smartphones rather, I choose to Interact with her or listen to Audio books by famous authors. Do that instead of handing them with electronic devices says- Steven Gortmaker, PhD, professor of the practice of health sociology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Make sure that computers and TVs are placed in the shared spaces of your home. When your kids watch something on screen in the kitchen or living room, it’s convenient for us to easier to keep an eye on the stuff they watch, the games they play, or the apps they use for entertainment.

Researchers who collected a data on families at fast-food restaurants noticed parents were often more focused on what their children are doing at the dinner table. Make limits a regular feature of screen use for the children. When the rules are clear and consistent, you can avoid daily arguments or pestering kids to turn off the computer, or phone or television.

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Written by-

Priyanka Ghosh

Transformational Coach