Striking A Digital Balance: How To Manage Screen Time With Your Kids
In our digital age, it’s no secret that screens are everywhere. Kids are growing up surrounded by them, and it’s not all bad.
Kids can learn and play, and they connect with others using devices. But too much of anything isn’t good, and that’s true for screen time as well.
Let’s face it. We’ve all been there– handing over a tablet to a fussy toddler or letting our teenager play video games for an extra hour.
It’s obviously more convenient, but how do we draw the line? How do we set those all-important boundaries without setting off a household mutiny?
First, Understand What’s Reasonable
All kids are different, and so are their needs. After all, a preschooler definitely doesn’t need the same amount of screen time as a high schooler.
That’s why it’s best to first do a little homework and determine what’s reasonable for your children’s age.
Set Rules Together
If kids are able to contribute and have a say in rules, they are much more likely to follow them. This is true about everything from household chores and getting homework done to, yes, even screen time.
shumytskaya – stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual child
If your child is old enough, have a sit-down, honest conversation about devices. You can open the floor to hear your kid talk about what they think is positive about screen time, as well as what’s negative. Then, you can encourage your child to help you set boundaries.
If you approach this matter with your child, showing them that you care about their opinion, you might be surprised at how reasonable they can be.
Stay Consistent, But Don’t Fuss Over Flexibility
Rules are there for a reason, and getting into a strong routine can do wonders for making your household flow.
But, as most parents know, life just happens sometimes. So, while you can try your best to remain consistent, don’t stress about being a little flexible if push comes to shove.
Maybe your family wants to have a special movie night, or your teen is taking a little longer to finish up an online game. It’s okay not to be “perfect,” and flexibility doesn’t mean failure.
Offer Alternatives
Once screen time is over and devices are off the table, your kids will likely want to engage in other activities.
It’ll be easiest to stick to screen time boundaries if you can offer them other fun things to do aside from playing with their iPads or iPhones.
You don’t have to break the bank, either.
Consider throwing in an extra trip to the park to get your little one’s energy out. Or, you can offer up some fun books, have craft time, schedule a playdate, or set up a game night. The opportunities to get creative are endless.
Lead By Example
This one might be tough, but you probably saw it coming, right?
If you are constantly scrolling through social media or texting your friends while simultaneously telling your children to shut down their own devices, you will probably get some eye rolls.
The best way to enforce your screen time boundaries is by showing your children that time without devices is valuable for everyone– not just them.
Monitor And Adjust
Setting boundaries (and sticking to them) is usually a process filled with trial and error. You likely won’t end up with the same routine or expectations once you actually start setting and enforcing boundaries.
Kids are also always growing and changing. So, your habits will evolve over time, and you may be faced with new challenges.
Just keep an eye on things, and don’t be afraid to adjust as needed. Remember, it’s a journey, not a destination.
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