and more than two-thirds of five to eight-year-olds have tablets or smartphones. Kids’ interests vary. They like playing games and watching movies.
Other parents wait; some let their kids play with an old phone, while others don’t mind if grandma gives everyone a tablet for Christmas. Regardless of your method, monitor your child’s gadget usage and identify strategies to limit it.
Supporting Your Child’s Interest In Technology
It’s about introducing kids to technology but training them to think critically about it. Guernsey states children “should ideally be acquiring an awareness of how digital is used to communicate, share ideas, and create knowledge” alongside parents and teachers. You may set an example by using technology as a tool while looking at a map, paying bills online, or attending a professional video conference. “Explain your Information system work,” Guernsey advises.
Ask your child’s school about technological education. Tell your child that some people design new programs and applications, which they can learn to do.
Healthy Tips For Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time
Set Family Guidelines
- Family agreement. Discuss digital safety and citizenship, set screen use rules, and publish them for everyone to see. (The AAP’s free family media plan tool creates a customized plan.) Before giving your youngster a phone or tablet, write and sign the rules.
- Limits. Specify screen times and locations. Some parents restrict screen time to weekends or the 30 minutes before dinner when you’re attempting to cook. Avoid screens an hour before sleep. Screen-free zones include bedrooms and mealtimes. To ensure family compliance, create a fair and manageable method.
- Warn your kids. Provide enough notice. Getting youngsters to switch off their devices while watching may be difficult, particularly toddlers and preschoolers.
- Define repercussions. Your kid broke a media rule? Inform them of the implications. Many parents confiscate electronics as punishment.
- Share the rules. For consistency, tell babysitters and grandparents your media guidelines.
- Monitor yourself. Engage your youngster instead of aimlessly looking through Facebook or responding to work emails while waiting in line or eating: Tic-tac-toe, “I Spy,” or chat. You can’t restrict your child’s screen time if you’re always checking your phone.
Stay Involved
- Talk to your kid. Try to share screen time. Ask questions about your child’s entertainment. Discuss what you witnessed during a family movie or game night. Discuss your child’s screen time while they’re alone. Discuss safety, privacy, and digital citizenship when your kid begins using social media.
- Choose. Avoid distracting and fast-paced shows for small children who don’t grasp them. Avoid violent stuff.
- Parental controls. Many gadgets let you set use limits. You may restrict gaming and reading time separately. Set a daily screen time restriction of hours or minutes.
- Manage devices. Know your kid’s applications. Test applications before your kid uses them. Use and discuss applications. As your youngster grows older, own the accounts and passwords so you can manage what’s downloaded.
Think Beyond Screen Time
- Fun options. Have entertaining activities on hand to resist your child’s screen time demands.
- Turn off electronics and TVs while not in use.
- Media may disrupt the parent-child relationship.
- Leave it at home. When going to the playground, playdate, or other activity where the iPad won’t enhance it.
- Make sure your youngster exercises daily.
- Ensure your kid gets enough sleep for their age.