The screen trap

Lot of screen time!

Isn’t it?

Tired of handling the never-ending fights about screen-time. At time parents just do not know how to manage their kids’ all these – mobile games, video games, social media, multiple apps, non-stop chatting with friends.

It feels as if there is a trap, a screen trap, in which kids are stuck, and there is no positive window, considering recurring lockdowns, too much free time, nowhere to go.

Nonetheless, it is necessary to limit your kid’s screen time, for it has unseen and irreparable damages.

The use of screen is mandatory for kids nowadays, as even studies have become online. But it is important to use the screen-time wisely, and it should be need-based, changing time to time.

As a parent, you must evaluate and decide the boundaries to use the screens, even if kids are older. Like no two kids are same, neither can there be requirements and usage of screens. You must consider your kid’s requirement, their age, the content they watch etc. while evaluating his screen-time, rather than comparing it with anyone.

Discuss with your kid, be open and interested in what your kid is watching and what is screen required for. Let them pour their heart out. At times, it might be the peer pressure, or just curiosity to try a new app told by a friend, or watching random videos related to their interest. Don’t be judgmental and directly say “No”.

Here are few ways to build a healthy screen-time habit in your kid:

1. Evaluate your own screen-time –

Before evaluating your kid’s screen-time, you must focus how much time you spend on screen, maybe binge watching some content, chatting with friends, sharing random videos and the like.

There will be numerous times when you would have asked your kid to wait, while you were just surfing something random.

Are you in a habit of checking your phone as soon as you wake up or you keep on checking it again and again? Assess your habits and try to work on yourself, before putting it on your kids. Always remember, whether kids listen to you or not, but they always watch you.

• Communicate with your kid –

Discuss with your kid why using a laptop or a mobile all the time is not good for him. Be open and try to understand his point of view. Make him understand that once in a while watching TV or playing video game or playing games on mobile is fine, but it shouldn’t become a habit.

These days as soon as kids start feeling bored, their only resort is a screen, be it chatting or playing games or just surfing. Tell them that it is not the right way of growing up. It’s fine not knowing the recent and popular games/ TV shows. It’s okay to get bored at times, or do nothing. Those are the times when the inner creativity shows up.

• Setting up boundaries with consent –

When you set-up limits/ boundaries for your kid, discuss with him. Talk about safety, the consequences, and make him agree to the boundaries and then ease up the transition instead of suddenly asking them to limit their screen-time without giving them the transition window. Of course, teething issues will be there, but you will have to handle the situation amicably, and stay connected with your kid and support them.

• Introduce them to other things –

Talk to your kid, brainstorm a solution by knowing about his interests, and then may be find out some other related things, like reading, offline indoor games like puzzles or board games, learning new skills like painting, or learn some musical instrument or an outdoor game or any such activity which takes your kid’s mind off from the screen.

You will definitely have to spend time with your kid to get over it. Maybe you will have to reduce your screen-time too

• Have patience –

Don’t be discouraged if the thought out/ planned solution doesn’t work. Re-think with your kid again about the issue faced and work on it again to achieve the target. As your kid will grow, the content will also mature.   

If need be, you can take health professional’s help as well.

Remember, screens have become an integral part of today’s world and our lives, and there are no signs of it going anywhere out of our lives. They definitely have an impact on your kid’s life.

Despite the above fact, make sure that your impact and influence is much more powerful on your kid.

Educate, guide, and support your kid to get rid of excessive screen-time.

Be calm and have patience!