Nowadays, it’s very common for children to spend their time looking at a screen. In fact, studies show that over the last few years, schoolchildren aged 6 to 14 had over 2 hours of screen time per day on average. In some cases, though, kids become smartphone- or tablet-dependent. They may not get anything else done, being unable to focus at school or during homework due to their need to look at the screen.
However, reducing a child’s screen time can have health benefits and more. Here are some things you can do to establish healthy screen time limits for your little bundle of joy.
Evaluating Children’s Screen Time
Many children have up to 10 hours of screen time every day. However, different amounts of screen time are recommended based on your child’s age.
For instance, children under 2 should get no screen time, whereas children between 2 and 12 should only get 1 hour per day. Teens and adults can have 2 hours of screen time on a daily basis.
Regulating screen time can be difficult, especially when you cannot watch your kids permanently, particularly teenagers. But there is one way to remotely restrict how much your child spends with electronic devices, respectively mSpy vs Highster mobile or similar apps.
The application has great parental control features, making it easy to impose limits on your child and prevent them from using their phone all the time. It can track messages, call logs, applications, and other things, telling you everything about your child’s activity. Once you put some limits in place, you can adjust your kid’s schedule to a healthier one.
Best Tips for Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time
How do you reduce your child’s screen time effectively? Here are some methods you can try.
- Take Away Their Devices
Give your children special schedules so they can use their smartphones, tablets, computers, and TV only for a certain amount of time. You can also require them to earn screen time by playing outside, doing household chores, completing homework, etc. They’ll be more motivated this way.
- Create Phone-Free Zones
Another good method is making phone-free zones in your house. For instance, meal areas should exclude phones. This improves communication and can boost your relationship.
- Provide Active Alternatives
Instead of letting them spend their whole day with a phone in their hands, offer some alternatives. Encourage them to:
- play outside;
- play active games indoors;
- ride bikes;
- play with your pets.
This will lead to more physical activity and less screen time.
- Be a Role Model
Give your children a positive example to follow. Don’t use your smartphone or TV all the time. Leave the TV off when you first come home and stop checking your phone obsessively. Otherwise, your little one will only follow a bad example.
Conclusion
Reducing your children’s screen time is possible by implementing a few rules and restrictions. Use the advice we offered, and don’t hesitate to monitor their screen time with the help of parental controls.
