Must Read |7 Tips to Reduce Screen Time of Kids | idutor

If we even try to imagine our life today without technology, it is impossible to start a day without technology.

Technology has an important role in our future growth. We always keep quoting that the world is shrinking but with this, our brain & real world is also shrinking. As technology is taking control of our brain, it is reducing the logical capability of our mind day by day and this is the main cause of our technology addiction.

If we look at the increase in usage of technology by kids in the last two years, it has increased multifold. it has been the main enabler to delivering education at home.

Excessive use of technology is impacting the social & mental health of kids. It is causing anxiety, mental illness, depression and irritating behaviour in kids. Kids are getting more violent when they are being refused to access the screen by their parents. There were 25000 cases of mental illness across 37 countries in 2020. Hence it is very important and a challenge at the same to maintain the balance between screen time & other off-screen activities for kids.

Here are some important tips which shall help parents to reduce unlimited access to the screen by the kids – 

1.     Maintain a time limit for children – Kids have a habit to follow a planned schedule as they have to follow a fixed timetable in school. Hence parents can make a schedule at home also and they can a lot a fixed time to watch mobile phone, laptop or TV.

2.   Encourage kids to join outdoor activities /sports – Physical activity is very important for kids for overall physical growth. It helps to develop the logical mind of kids. Try to find out the interest of your child and make him/her join that outdoor activity/sport. 

3.   Prefer Offline School – It is always better to get admitted your child to offline school. A child may join online classes for private education which should be limited to 2 hours a day.

4.   Family Rules – Make some family rules like no mobile phone access on the dining table. No phone access 2 hours before bedtime. This will help kids to spend more time with family and this will improve emotional bonding with siblings and parents.

5.  Try to connect kids with nature – Gardening is the first activity which helps kids to get closer to nature. Keep a day on weekends to plant a new tree and take them to outdoor parks. Let them feel natural. If possible take kids on a short trip to the hills. 

6.  FOMO (FEAR OF MISSING OUT ) – FOMO is something which is pushing parents and children towards more screen time. We keep on accessing mobile phones because of FOMO. Just get rid of this behaviour and try to keep mobile away as much as possible.

7. Engage kids with household activities – Make a delegation chart at home and delegate a task/responsibility to your child to accomplish e.g. cleaning study room,re-arranging book shelves, moping floor, This will improve the motoring skills of your child. This will help to reduce phone screen time