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<\/p>\nLike many parents, my husband and I are constantly confronted with the issue of screen time for kids, specifically how to manage and limit their level of exposure. Even more disturbing is that we see the growing trend of young children, some barely 10 years of age, struggling with screen addiction and parents who seem helpless and desperately seeking measures to curb their kids’ screen addiction.<\/p>\n
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So<\/strong>urce<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Here to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like how the \u2018idiot box\u2019 of our parents\u2019 and grandparents’ generations, say what we like, smart devices are here to stay. In fact, they are already revolutionising the way we live and learn. Therefore, the key is not to just blindly shield our kids from these devices but to educate its proper usage and role model a sense of self-discipline for our kids.<\/p>\n Managing Screen Time at Home:<\/strong><\/p>\n Like all habits and behaviours, it all starts from the home. Here are some ways which we are currently using to educate our own kids (and ourselves) on the appropriate use of smart devices at home<\/p>\n 1. Don\u2019t Gift It:<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s quite common to hear kids ask for smart devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad, iMac etc.) as a gift or reward (usually for good academic results or performance in a competition). In fact, parents themselves offer smart devices as a gift or a reward as incentives to motivate their children. The problem is that once our children have earned the \u2018reward\u2019 or gifts, they technically own the devices. This makes it extremely difficult for parents to enforce limitations on the usage thereafter. <\/p>\n Tip: Make the smart devices (e.g. iPad, iPhone, laptops) a family shared device. Kids who wish to use it have to take turns to \u2018loan\u2019 the device from the parents. When it’s on loan, parents have the right to dictate the perimeters of use. <\/p>\n 2. Confine It:<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether you give or you \u2018loan\u2019, boundaries need to be communicated, agreed upon and enforced.<\/p>\n Tips: Boundaries can be gradually relaxed when the child has shown self-control, demonstrated responsible usage and earned parents’ trust.<\/p>\n 3. Be Open with It:<\/strong><\/p>\n While smart devices are excellent for educational purposes, sometimes unwarranted info can come looking for you instead \u2013 think YouTube ads and certain online games etc. which may contain undesirable contents for kids. It\u2019s always good to have the computer or smart devices be placed in an open area in the home and not in a child\u2019s bedroom or study room so that parents can monitor the sites which the kids are browsing.<\/p>\n 4. Talk About It:<\/strong><\/p>\n News stories on the proper usage as well as on the abuse of smart devices are aplenty. While these are sometimes shared in schools, highlighting and discussing them as a family, especially since it\u2019s brought up by Mum and Dad, will reinforce the child\u2019s understanding of the issues and implications at hand.<\/p>\n Tip: For the conversations to be conducive, avoid only talking about it when the child has erred. Talk about it regularly and adopt an open mind to elicit open conversations. Also, highlight positive stories rather than just harp on negative ones.<\/p>\n 5. Role-model It:<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s easier said than done – to role model good digital habits as parents. To be honest, it’s tough to separate ourselves from our devices because there’s so much updates screaming for our attention on social media but we recently found a good substitute that can actually help to make the smart home screen-free. Introducing to you ‘Google Home’.<\/p>\n \u2018Hey Google\u2019 – A demonstration<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch our video demonstration here on how we use Google Home<\/strong><\/a> to have a screen-free smart home:<\/p>\n
\n– Install pre-approved websites or use Parental Control Apps (e.g. YouTube Kids<\/a>, Qustodio<\/a><\/strong>) to limit time spent on the device, track usage and location, and block apps or games as necessary.
\n– Limit computer usage to only certain websites for completing E-learning assignments only.
\n– Limit usage of mobile devices to certain time. When time\u2019s up, curfew will be enforced and device has to be returned. We’ve heard some parents switching off the home’s WIFI in the evenings (e.g. 7.30 to 9.30pm) so that every member in the family can be fully present during dinner time and homework time.
\n– Set ‘out-of-bounds’ limits. E.g. smart devices are forbidden on dining table, beds and on car trips.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/120413-Aug181004.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1\")
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