How To Control Screen Addiction In Kids During Lockdown
Billions of children are globally affected by school closure. Since 24/3/2020 our life style has been change due to corona virus pandemic we all are in homes 24*7 due to which our digital screen time increased. The time which we usually spent in travelling, offices, shopping malls, cinemas, gym, with friends etc. is known been spending in front of TV, Mobiles. Now children are at home the major issues parents are facing, more screen time of the kid due to classroom have been replaced by online learning, playground time is now shifted to the mobile screen or on TV.
To overcome the problem of screen addiction parents should make some rules those who are new in making rules or schedule may feel restricted or bounded as the rules are not only for the kids. Kids follow; imitate their parents, family members they are living with, so before making schedule, rules take a look for achievable goals that you and your family member will follow.
Limit the child’s screen time on his/her phone. If the child is using family member’s phone they must know their limits like at what time they have to return the phone back without any arguments or hustle.
Ask your child to give break to the digital device and by the time they can help in the house chores according to their age. It will develop the sense of responsibility in them. Appreciate them for every small task when they complete this will keep them motivated to do next task.
Meal time should be family time and at that time every family member including kids should leave their phones away from the dining areas, set the example let your phone ring, buzz during the meal time. Small kids will learn the importance of family time and they enjoy the meal without any hustle.
As the lockdown period is bringing anxiety, depression for thinking about future not let the kids should be the part of that, and at the sleep time read the stories for the kids or ask the kids to narrate the story for the family member during night time, so that we can cut our night digital screen time due to which kids as well as adult are suffering from sleep disorders. If the kids are unable to read the stories give the kid a book which have pictures and ask them to express the picture in their own words.
Where both the parents are working while doing their work from home, instead of giving the digital screen to the kid, give them small age appropriate task and after every 20-30 minutes do the reunion with kids so the kid might not feel lonely. If the kid is too small and parents have to take them along in the working space at home give the clear instructions to the kid not to play with the objects which make noises or create disturbance during the meeting time with the collogue.
Parents now days are very active and concern about their kids, so this lockdown period can be use as a self improvement time for the kids, don’t feel guilty if occasionally screen time slip-up. Make the screen time use full for kids ask them, instead of playing or watching videos on Mobile and TV learn new things, inculcate the habit of doing mediation, yoga daily and make it your habit also then only they will do. Earlier when you don’t get the enough time with kids and you want to make them learn life skills, this the only time when you can do all your happy parenting.
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