5 Ways You Can Reduce Screen Time For Kids

5 Ways You Can Reduce Screen Time For Kids

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Gone are the days when children used to play in fields or grounds under the scorching hot sun with dirt in their hands, staying active and fit. Nowadays, children are more prone to screen time, whether it be on TV, mobile phones, laptops, or tablets. 

After the pandemic, children spent more time inside their homes and became even more addicted to screen time. Not only children, but even adults became addicted. Childrenlearn from their parents and imitate their behaviour.

Kids these days can’t seem to live without their phones, and all the reading and gaming they do could potentially damage their eyesight. Too much screen time could be harmful, whether it be leaving the TV on all the time or families spending entire meal times glued to their iPhones.

According to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study report, youngsters who engaged in screen-related activities for more than two hours a day performed worse on language and cognitive tests. Furthermore, some children spend more than seven hours a day on screen time, which can thin their cortex – the area of the brain responsible for critical thinking and reasoning. 

Excessive screen usage can hinder a toddler’s ability to see and participate in daily activities to learn about the world around them. It can also cause a “tunnel vision” state that can be detrimental to overall development. Children’s ability to learn new things and interact with others can be negatively impacted.

Here are some ways to reduce screen time for kids:

1. Encourage Other Activities

Encourage children to look for and participate in non-screen-related activities. A few suggestions include going outside to play, reading a book, or even finding an old board game. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that children aged five to seventeen should engage in at least 60 minutes of outdoor exercise.

Establishing (and enforcing) a household routine that everyone adheres to is also helpful. It will help to clarify expectations and can assist in avoiding fights if it is made evident to the children when they can use screens and when they cannot.

2. Be a Role Model

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Parents must use technology responsibly for their children. Remember that by spending time in front of a screen, parents are setting an example for their children. Think before binge-watching a favorite Netflix or Amazon series. When parents constantly have the TV on as background noise or look through their phones whenever they have a spare moment, they may not be demonstrating the screen-related behavior they want their children to exhibit.

Be a great role model for children to follow in reducing their own sedentary behaviour. By dedicating space to a game-time or learning area, you can alter the atmosphere in the house to promote a more active and less sedentary lifestyle, helping maintain their strength, leanness, and fitness.

Also Read: 6 ways to keep students and teachers motivated and happy as they get back to schools

3. Use Parental Controls

One can use various methods to prevent children from viewing graphic material on TV and the Internet. Parents can set up parental controls on routers, web browsers, and TVs to filter or prevent objectionable content. 

There are also built-in options or downloadable programs that can create content filters for children’s smartphones. Many of these options allow parents to block particular websites, web searches, or even specific words/terms.

4. Explain the Importance of Limiting Screen Time

Children are more likely to abide by screen time limits when they understand that too much time in front of a screen has adverse effects. When parents attempt to enforce these limits, children may be more inclined to rebel against or disregard the rules if they feel they are being treated cruelly.

It is essential to explain the risks associated with violent video games, TV shows, and movies and ensure that they are age-appropriate. Parents should also talk to their children about the dangers of online predators if they use the Internet. In addition, every member of the family should participate in the conversation about screen time and help establish a set of rules that everyone can follow.

5. Explain the Importance of Limiting Screen Time

Children are more likely to abide by screen time limits when they understand that too much time in front of a screen has adverse effects. When parents attempt to enforce these limits, children may be more inclined to rebel against or disregard the rules if they feel they are being treated cruelly.

It is essential to explain the risks associated with violent video games, TV shows, and movies and ensure that they are age-appropriate. Parents should also talk to their children about the dangers of online predators if they use the Internet. In addition, every member of the family should participate in the conversation about screen time and help establish a set of rules that everyone can follow.

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