5 Sure-Shot Ways to Use Screen-time Positively for Kids

Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash 

You love it or loathe it, but you can’t ignore it!

It’s Screen-time!

Some parents are strictly against any form of screen time and others can’t keep their kids off, once they get addicted.
Kids were glued to mobile screens during the pandemic and suddenly when offline schools have started we want them to give it up. Is it possible? Is it logical? You cannot deny the fact that the internet is full of information that can be turned into wisdom. It gives your child the opportunity to pursue what he is interested in, sitting in the comfort of his home.
Be it Arts, Technology, Creativity, or Science, if you have a question, then your screen has the answer!

So where do you draw the line?In today’s fast-paced technology-enabled generation, every house has a Television and a touch screen Phone.To escape the screen is as difficult as asking a fish to live out of water.

So how do we use screens for our kids' advantage?

 I hate to say this but the constant bickering and yelling to switch off the TV or to put the phone aside is like banging your head against a wall. Sometimes the wall will break and sometimes your head, but either way, there is going to be massive damage! You can’t expect to get different results if you keep doing what you have always done. Period!

So the key word here is to have a P-L-A-N!

So here are some innovative and rational methods which will make you look at screen-time differently:

 Set Routines

• Scheduling is half the battle won!
• Sit with your kids and allocate timings as per everyone's likes & convenience.
•  If you have two kids, divide the time between the two. 
• Take special care to see that the timing is as per the schedule of their favorite cartoon or show. 

If you would like to know more about setting routines for disciplined kids then go through this blog (Want Your Child to Be Disciplined – The Mom Store)

Set Boundaries:
 Three rules when it comes to setting screen time boundaries:

• No screen time during meal times
• Set time limits for Screen, except extra time on weekends.
• No screen First things in the morning and last thing at night.

 I usually give screen time to my Son after he comes from school and has his lunch. This unwinds him, and he is ready for his study time when it is over.

 Replace Habits:
Forming a good habit needs more than consistency. You have to replace an old habit with something new! 

• The place where most parents falter is they suddenly take the remote and switch off the T.V. or snatch the mobile. This creates power conflict with the child.
• A better way to do this is, to remind him that the screen time is nearing its end and allow him to switch it off himself. By doing this you are giving power to your child! This process may take time, but patience is the key here as with anything else!
• If you want to reduce/her screen time then think of other options where he/she could use that time. Replace the old with the new. Is he interested in joining any sport? Does he love coloring? Does he want to help you clean? There are multiple options to choose from if you are mindful enough.

 Parental Control & Knowledge Apps:

• Another way to reduce your guilt of giving screen time to kids is by curating what they watch.
• Go online and search for innovative, knowledgeable apps or sites that kids will enjoy as well as add value to them. This ensures that you and your child both are happy.
• Have Parental locks and allow access to only those websites or Apps which you want them to see. The earlier you do this the easier to control their viewing.

 Child and Me Screen-Time:

• It's great to have a ritual of watching a movie or a show together as a whole family. For the four weekends in the month choose one movie as per each member's choice.
• It’s a great way to bond with kids and teaches them the value of respecting other persons lie and dislikes and being accommodating and a team member.

These 5 ways will ensure that you have a cohesive environment at your home and screen time is less stressful for you and your child.

Have a happy screen-time!

About the Author :

Dhanya calls herself an impatient inquisitive seeker. She is an engineer mom who has learned motherhood on the job and implemented techniques by reading innumerable books and through research.