DR KANIKA GUPTA
In the digital age, parents face a significant challenge in limiting their children’s screen time. Yet, it’s important to recognize that media usage isn’t entirely negative; smartphones and tablets serve as valuable educational tools for kids today. However, the pervasive nature of online activities can foster addiction and potentially hinder a child’s development. Misuse of media can also cultivate harmful behaviors in children.
Here are some ways to break your child’s smartphone addiction:
“Set the limits: Establish clear rules and limits on screen time for your children, and stick to them. For example, limit the use of mobile devices to a certain amount of time each day.
“Encourage other activities: Encourage your children to engage in other activities that don’t involve screens, such as playing sports, reading books, or spending time with friends and family.
“Be a great role model: Children learn more from your actions than your words. They are great observers, and they mimic the habits of parents. It is important to form strict rules in place to abide by. Restricting your smartphone usage time allows you extra time to spend with your child. These interactions with your child are crucial in creating a strong parent-child relationship, the value of which is often underestimated.
“Have open conversations: Have open and honest conversations with your children about the negative effects of excessive screen time, such as poor sleep, lack of exercise, and decreased social interaction.
“Do not use Smartphone as reward or Distraction: Smartphone has a huge potential to be of great educational value to children. Total abstinence from it isn’t advisable. Moderation is the key here. Many parents leverage screen time to encourage children to study/do homework/ do house chores but this could lead to more harm than good. Beware of using the smartphone as a distraction or a reward as this can have ill effects on the children.
“Encourage playtime: Physical play stimulates the brain. Activities that involve physical movements allow children to use their energy and give children the chance to develop gross and fine motor skills, learn new things and socialize. It hugely benefits the physical and mental health of a child.
“Indulge them in activity-based learning: Kids use phones for fun and entertainment purposes. Kids love challenges. Mobile games are attractive as they pose challenges at every new level. By engaging kids in activity-based learning, they can gain knowledge while having fun.
(The author is a Ph.D. in Human Development from University of Jammu)
