There are several reasons why screen time limits are crucial for kids. Kids need boredom because it allows them to get creative and seek out ways to entertain themselves and find new and exciting hobbies. Screen time limits also give your kids more time to learn vital life skills that take time to master. These include cleaning, cooking, problem-solving, socialization with their peers, academics, and fixing broken items. Here are some ways you can set screen time limits for your kids.
Talk About Why You’re Doing It
Before you put the new limits in place, it’s important to tell your kids why you’re doing it. Tell them that you’re concerned about their growing addiction to their devices and you can discuss the dangers of this addiction. For example, tell them that you noticed that their grades slipped recently and that they don’t play outside with the other kids the way they used to before you gave them devices. Let them know that screen time limits help them live balanced and disciplined lives.
Maintain a Consistent Screen Time Schedule
The next step is to create a consistent screen time schedule for the kids. Maybe you can only allow them to use their devices on weekends and for one hour. Or you may decide to let the kids enjoy screen time on weeknights only after they complete their homework and chores for 30 minutes before bedtime. You and your spouse both need to agree on the new schedule, and then you’ll tell the kids about the rules. Set consequences for breaking these rules but reward them with extra screen time occasionally when they accomplish big goals. For example, if your son made the honor roll after a rough start to the school year, you can give him extra screen time on the weekend.
Check Your Own Screen Time
It doesn’t make sense to set limits on your children’s screen time if you don’t model self-control in this area. Make sure that you put limits on your own screen time so your kids can see an example of someone who is disciplined in his technology use.
Plan More Screen-Free Activities
Another cool idea is to plan more screen-free activities as a family. Purchase 10 to 15 board and card games that are both fun and educational. Examples include Scrabble, Twister, UNO, Connect Four, Monopoly, and Clue. Every Sunday after church, you can have picnics in the park with inexpensive meals and snacks. Attend free local festivals throughout the year.
Wait Longer to Buy Devices for Younger Kids
If your kids are between ages 2 and 13, delay the purchase of devices until they’re older and mature enough to use them wisely. Electronic devices are addictive, and many younger children lack the maturity and self-control to take a break from these devices on their own. Kids who use devices excessively are also influenced by negative images that are present on social media and online ads. These images promote poor body image, low self-worth, and sometimes harmful attitudes toward certain groups of people. If you’re buying a device for your child, monitor what they watch and help them analyze the messages that the content promotes to your kids.
Make The Kids Go Outside
Don’t let your kids stay in their rooms for hours. Require them to spend at least one to two hours outside during the week. There are incredible benefits of spending time outdoors. Sunlight exposure gives you a decent intake of vitamin D and it boosts your mood. Playing outside is good for decreasing obesity and illnesses that it can cause such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems.
Don’t Put A Computer in Every Room
Reduce your kids’ temptation to become screen addicts by not giving them their own computers or tablets. Place one computer in the family room that everyone will share and use. Put filters and parental controls on the computer so you can protect your kids from viewing inappropriate content.
Provide Non-Electronic Toys For Kids
A lot of today’s toys are electronic, but if you want to cut back on your child’s screen time, provide him with fun and non-electronic toys. These include:
- Jigsaw and wooden puzzles
- Safe household objects
- Legos and other types of building blocks
- Picture books
- Makeup kits
- Toy trucks
- Baby dolls and doll clothes
- Jumpropes
- Comic books
These toys are neat ways for kids to entertain themselves without becoming too overstimulated by electronic devices.
Let Them Use Educational Apps
If your kids are going to use devices, they can watch apps that contain educational content. Some good apps to let your kids watch are Zearn, IXL, Lexia, Khan Academy Kids, Epic, PBS Kids, and National Geographic Kids. Zearn is a math app that is used in many classrooms. It is great for visual learners since it has videos and detailed tutorials on different math concepts.
Don’t Let Youtube Teach Them Life Skills
It’s true that you can learn vital life skills on Youtube, but you shouldn’t depend on this platform to learn these skills. If you want to teach your kids certain life skills but you don’t feel qualified to teach them, bring your kids to older relatives who can pass on what they know. When other relatives teach your kids life skills, it sticks with them and they’ll have memories of those lessons for years to come.
Get Them in Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are beneficial in helping your child discover new interests. Your child’s school offers activities such as football, basketball, gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and dance teams. These activities are also good for teaching your child crucial social skills they’ll need to get along with others as adults.
As an 80s kid, I remember a childhood where we weren’t glued to our screens daily. We spent a lot of time outdoors and we did arts and crafts. When I got bored on one school night at age 12, I wrote my first story. I’ve been writing every since and had I been hooked on devices back then, I wouldn’t be a writer today. We as parents should limit our kids’ screen time because it hinders them from becoming productive persons in society.
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