Kids Screen time Healthy Habits

Kids screen time addiction is so alarming. Some people call it digital cocaine. Not only the kids are addicted but everyone who owns a smart phone. I think every household have this problem. I for one, search for ways how to handle this situation. Lots of info around the net but its hard on the implementation at home. Rules were always broken and time limits doesn’t work most of the time.

I attended my son’s school parents meeting and it’s one of the main topic of the night. Its one of the major concerns of parents too.

Teachers asked everyone of ask about how much time kids uses the screen at home and what rules do we have about screen times. Its interesting to know that kids spent more than an hour a day on screen and that there’s always broken rules. Most parents say that during weekends, more time are being spend on screen(double or triple the time during the schooldays).

We parents, grow up differently from our kids today. Different setting and environment, before we don’t have those gadgets. We enjoy things outside our home playing and interacting with people. But now, kids uses gadgets and those smartphones to learn and entertain themselves.

But it becomes problematic when this things interfere with their learning and behavior. Not counting also the harmful effect of EMF(electromagnetic field) to our health.

But we parents can do something about it. We can help our kids, we can teach them, we can intervene to control this addiction.

I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned that night.

Children and teens have access to more digital media than ever before, including televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones and video games. We can help our children by developing healthy media habits by minimizing and monitoring their screen time, and by teaching them to use digital media safely.

FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS)

• Make sure your child watches programs or content you are familiar with and, whenever you can, watch with them.
• Explain what they see on the screen and repeat activities like sharing, giving, or singing in real life to teach them why these things are important.
• Read app reviews and try apps before our child uses them.
• Look for educational apps or programming. They should be age appropriate, have a clear learning goal, and encourage your child’s participation.
• Look for simple pictures and story lines that have a logical sequence of events.
• If your child has learned everything about the app, upgrade to the next level or try a new app to keep the learning going.
• Avoid commercial or adult programs.
• For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit total daily screen time to under 1 hour. Screen time is not recommended for children under 2 years. Don’t rely on screens to calm your child.

DONT LET GADGETS BE YOUR KIDS BABYSITTER!

FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND TEENS

• Whenever possible, preview content to make sure it is age-appropriate.
• Get involved in your child’s media use. Find out what she enjoys and why. Encourage her to talk about what she watches.
• Learn about rating systems for television, music, movies and video games(ex. rated PG,rated E).
• Avoid violet content. Notice whether there are any changes in how your child behaves after watching scary or violent shows, or playing video games.
• Help your child recognize and question advertising messages. Educate him about the strategies that advertisers use to sell products to children and teens.
• When helping to choose content, pay attention to messages about gender, body image, violence, diversity and social issues. Explain why certain programs are not appropriate, this is a chance to share your own beliefs and values.
• Talk about the difference between fantasy and reality.
• Encourage your child to watch programs that help teach, such as shows about nature, science, arts, music or history.
• Balance screen time with sports, hobbies, creative and outdoor play.
• Make a rule that homework and chores must be finished before screen time.
• Make sure late-night online chatting, surfing and texting with friends doesn’t cut into important sleep time.
• Ask your child or teen to give you their cell phone at a certain time at the end of the day so they aren’t interrupted with phone calls or text messages during family time.

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

• Children learn from what they see. Be a good role model with your own screen time habits.
• When possible, co-view media with your kids to help them learn from what they are doing, seeing, and saying online.
• Consider developing a family media plan to guide when, how and where screens can-and can’t-be used.
• Turn off screens during meals and family time. Don’t use the TV as background noise.
• Keep all screens out of bedrooms. Do not put cellphone beside your bed when sleeping.
• Find out about programs or apps that provide parental controls. They can help block websites, enforce time limits, monitor websites your child visits, and their online conversations.
• If possible turn off cellphones at night or turn off wifi. Control yourself not to check cellphone when you wake up during the night. It will interfere with your sleeping time.

The 4Ms for Screen Time:

Minimize screen time: maintain daily “screen-free” times, especially for family meals and book sharing

Mitigate (reduce) the risks associated with screen time: be present and engaged when screens are used and co-view when possible

Be mindful about screen time: monitor your family’s digital use and set limits

Model healthy screen use: choose healthy alternatives such as reading and playing outdoors

MONITORING APP SUGGESTIONS:

• Qustodio
• Our Pact
• Apple Screen Time
• Disney Circle
• You tube Controls and Filters.

To learn more about helping our kids on their screen time usage. Please read the Canadian Guidelines on Screen time for young children

WE CAN DO SOMETHING, WE CAN HELP OUR KIDS. THE TIME IS NOW. LETS DO IT!