Screen addiction has become a very real problem in America. Kids stare at their devices almost all day long, and many parents aren’t far behind. While kids are stuck to their screens tweeting, snapping, and instagramming back and forth, parents are also using devices nonstop for emails, news sites, and their own social media. So what can we do to tame the internet beast causing screen addiction?
*Sponsored with Family Safety Resource. All opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
Fighting Screen Addiction
The old saying is true–children learn what they live. So the first thing to do is assess how we, as parents, are using our screens. There’s no getting around screen time for most of us in this day and age. Our jobs require answering emails or being on-call on instant messaging apps. Bloggers like me and other online business people are often spending most of our day using screen devices as a part of running our business. It may seem like a lost cause, but there is hope.
Set a Good Example
One of the best ways to curb screen addiction in our kids is to curb it in ourselves. If you have a career in a field that requires you to look at your device frequently, consider setting aside family time each day that is totally device free–even for yourself. If you’re your own boss like I am, set business hours for yourself. Make a point to let your family know what hours are “screen free” and they’ll have your undivided attention. Unless I’m really under the gun, I make every evening the time I spend with my family just as if I had a 9 to 5 job.
Set Limits
Children have little self-discipline, plain and simple. If they have a choice for more, they’ll take it. It’s just human nature. That’s why it’s important to set limits on how much screen time kids have. It doesn’t have to be a punishment, instead it should be seen as an expectation. Simply set time limits for use and times when absolutely no screen time is allowed like family game night or at dinner. The earlier you start your child on a regular schedule of screen free time, the more quickly they will get used to it.
Get Help for Screen Addiction and More
While these simple steps can help you get started, there’s more resources for parents than ever before in continuing the fight. With parenting tips on digital safety, a safety guide for babies and kids, a child safe profile and DNA kit, and a smartphone contract, FamilySafetyResource is there for us to help ensure that we have the tools we need to help keep our kids safe. I love it because it gives parents and grandparents tools to help with the problems faced by kids of all ages. Using this child safe kit, we can address the dangers of screen addiction, cyberbullying, and more. It’s an invaluable parenting tool. Head over to the FamilySafetyResource Child Safe Kit page and get one for yourself. It’s free!