The digital era has made technology ingrained in the kid’s world. Carefree childhood outdoor playing has been replaced by digital attractive content. Today’s generations of children are becoming more and more exposed to the media. Parallel to this, a newer influx of devices came out to support this. All this brought out a problem concerning most of the parents – kids spending too much time in front of the screen. No doubt that some useful and helpful tips will be heartily welcomed. Check them out!
1. Be Their Role Model
Beware of modeling psychology. Kids are watching what you are doing. Preaching instead of acting the way you should, won’t have any effect on your kid. Before you measure their time before the screens, check out how much time you spend with the devices and media yourself. Avoid presenting to them the idea of a screen being involved in each activity you do. For example, you shouldn’t eat meals with your devices on.
Once you realize there is a problem and that most of your life passes witnessing the screens, first, put your device down. Start from yourself. Be a good example for developing better habits. Eventually, your kid will start walking your way.
2. Set a Time Limit
It is necessary to set a limit on the use of computers and put it only for the purpose of beneficial things for kids. However, it is extremely difficult. Computers, TVs, tablets, and phones have occupied all of us to such an extent, that time passes unnoticeably.
The relationship between screen time and children is indeed complex and worrying. Studies show that in America, the average child aged 8-10 spends eight hours a day. These figures are an alarm. Experts warn that children spend a lot more time in front of screens than socializing and interacting with other children. They also say that children older than two years should spend a maximum of two hours daily in front of the screens, while children younger than two should not watch TV, tablets, and other gadgets at all. It is impossible to just throw out all the screens and devices, but what you can do is at least limit the time they are used.
3. Protect Their Eyes
You have to be proactive when it is about your kid’s eyesight. Screens affect it very much. Knowing this, you must take precautions. In the first place, visiting an ophthalmologist when your kid complains about headaches, unclear eyesight, or any other problem, is always a good idea. The harmful effects of blue light in today’s digital era require protection, especially for the kids. Luckily, there are effective protectors for your kid’s eyes. These include blue-light-blocking glasses. They are specially designed to protect eyes from blue light. And as the folks behind blockbluelight.co.uk suggest, wearing blue-light-blocking glasses can reduce eyestrain and aid sleep. You can purchase a pair of glasses online and feel grateful later. Artificial lighting can do huge harm to a kid’s eyes since their eyes are very sensitive to them. They can also hinder their brain development and disrupt their sleep, which are enough reasons to give them a gift of protection – blue-light-blocking glasses.
4. Support Them Nutritionally
Kids are in constant need of essential nutrients. They need them to develop and grow properly. It is time for you to rethink the importance and impact of these nutrients on your child. As their time spent before screens can affect their health, make sure you provide their daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. This will help them improve their immune system, vision, and cognitive abilities.
However, their daily intake of building substances shouldn’t be a company to their screen time activity. Try not to make your kid have a habit of constantly eating while spending time on one of the devices since it can increase the potential of getting obese. A healthy and balanced diet will do a lot and it is a key to successful development.
5. Time For Pause
Your kid must take breaks and take his or her eyes off the screen at various intervals. These breaks are crucial for better focus and preventing digital eye strain. Kid’s eyes need rest and relaxation of eye muscles, so these pauses will be helpful.
6. Invest in Your Time
The time you spend with your kid is the most precious one. Do not let yourself lose all the magic these moments bring. Even though screens play such an inseparable part in our lives, they shouldn’t take from us the opportunity to create lovely memories. Encourage your kid to play, socialize and exercise. In fact, invest in spending time together, doing various activities, and playing fun games together. Even though media and digital devices have their educational benefits, you can improve your kid’s productivity and creativity without them as well.
It is rather difficult to have control over the time your kids spend watching screens. However, you should give your best in minimizing the harm it can cause. Therefore, take the necessary steps to protect them in all possible ways. In protecting them, you should not forget to protect yourself too.
