Ways To Limit Your Child Gaming And Screen Time

Paddy Chayevsky once quoted, “Television is the menace that everyone loves to hate but can’t seem to live without.” In the era of digitization, our lives have been surrounded by gadgets. It’s not only about the TV sets anymore, but the likes of smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tabs, etc are now a part and parcel of our lives.

All this to an extent is good, but when its addiction is beyond the saturation point, one needs to do something about it. The limitations should be imposed on the kids especially who are breaching all the limits of killing their time on these type of gadgets.

Excessive screen time affects health and especially your eye-vision which drops drastically. Apart from personal well-being, the growing children get affected by their studies and the concentration level also dips significantly. But how to overcome all these issues? Below are some tips parents can implement to decide how much screentime is reasonable for their kids.

10 Ways To Limit Your Child Gaming And Screen Time

Help them learn healthy electronic use

In the growing years, parents are the only role model for the kids. Before you binge-watch your favorite show on OTT or any other platform, do not forget that you are setting an example for your kid and they will gravitate towards your behavior.

You can’t keep scrolling your phone unnecessarily for long or sit in front of the TV sets for a long time. This doesn’t set a good example for your kid and eventually, he will perceive nothing out of this behavior.

Encourage healthy benefits

Being a parent it is your job to encourage healthy behaviors and limit the unhealthy ones. This definitely includes limiting your children’s screen time.

When you do this, make sure you have a valid reason to explain to them why you have made the decision. The reason you will explain them will leave an impact on their minds and they might follow the same someday.

Set limits on viewing times

If you don’t want to be strict as hell and don’t want to turn off the television completely, it is necessary to set a time limit on viewing. Whether its TV or any other gadget, there should be a viewing window for your kids and it should be strict.

Create a “Technology-Free Zone”

This might not sound realistic, but you have to put in all the necessary efforts to implement this step. There should be certain places within the house where any kind of gadget should not be allowed. For example, the dining room, kitchen, or even the living room which should only be used for eating and family conversations purpose respectively.

Propose a time to unplug all the gadgets

Have some spare time with your family and unplug with the technological devices at that time. While having lunch or dinner and in the evening also before the dinner could be great opportunities to spend thoughtful and quality time together.

Do some other activities as well

Parenting is a tough job and explaining to your child something is even tougher. Apart from gadgets, there are many activities to do in their spare time like playing board games, outdoor games, drawing, or even reading books could be the best alternatives.

Try to get involved in their lives

The Genx might not want their parents or any other person getting involved in their lives, however, the growing age figures still look up to their parents. Therefore, it becomes crucial to get involved in their lives to give them a proper dimension.

Observe your child’s behavior and changes if any

The content shown today on both TV and OTT platform does not leave a great impact on children’s minds. Therefore, if they are too much into all this, it is necessary to observe your child’s behavior and behavioral changes.

After too much viewing, they might get irritated, aggressive, impatient, and selfish. If you start noticing them with these changes, you should put a full stop on these activities.

Screen time should be treated as a privilege

It is essential to make screen time a privilege rather than a right. Negative consequences may arise if they treat their gadgets easily. They should know the worth and importance. If you give your child fewer privileges of their gadgets, then only they will realize your words of wisdom.

Suggested: 7 Psychological Tips To Make Life Easier

There should be no screen in your child’s bedroom 

Perhaps the most significant point in this list should be followed in any case. It is simple, you won’t be able to monitor your child’s screen time if they have a TV screen, PC’s, video game consoles in their bedroom. Keep them away from all these gadgets as they could be tempted to use these late nights and you won’t be able to keep an eye on them at that time.

Conclusion:

It’s just a matter of time when you start implementing these steps for the betterment of your child. Televisions or any other screen viewing is a momentum-gathering behavior. The more you do it, the more compelling it could be.