Today’s children are more addicted to screens than recommended by pediatricians. Common Sense found that one in two children feel addicted to screens. Screen addiction refers to adverse behavioral, psychological, and physical outcomes that result from prolonged use of smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers with screens. Most parents are trying to prevent their children from developing screen addiction because of the serious consequences.
This article will discuss the negative effects of screen time and offer a solution to prevent screen addiction in children.
Why Screen Time is a Serious Problem
UNICEF reports that infants who are expose to screens frequently have a higher risk of brain damage. They might have difficulty understanding non-verbal cues and interpreting facial expressions. OSF Healthcare advises parents to not allow their infants below 2 years old to use screens, except for video calls with family members and friends.
OSF Healthcare recommends that parents limit screen time for children aged 2-5 years old. For older children, the recommended limit is 3 hours per day. Children use screens far more than this. Common Sense reports that children aged 8-12 years spend nearly 5 hours a days in front of screens. Screens are used by teens for almost 7.5 hours per day.
Screen time can lead to changes in mood, behaviour, disconnect from reality, and other physical issues like eye fatigue, eating disorders, and eye fatigue. Children also tend to spend their nights surfing the internet, playing video games, chatting or chatting after bedtime due to the addictive nature digital media. School children feel tired or wake up later than usual, which can lead to a lack of focus at school, inability to take part in physical activities, aggression and depression.
The Strategy To Protect Children From Screen Addiction
59% of parents believe their children are using sell phones a lot. Use the following strategy if your child is addicted to screens or you are concerned about their screen addiction.
Talk to your child about the health risks of screen addiction
Discuss with your child the dangers of screen addiction and how to avoid them. You can teach your child how to control their screen time and avoid the negative consequences. Screen time is easier to manage for older children.
Find Alternatives for Screens
If there are no other entertainment options, it would be difficult for children to stop watching a screen. You, as a parent, should look for activities to replace screens. You can enroll your child in science, art, or sports classes. You can take them to museums, stadiums, and galleries. You can take your family camping, hiking, and/or play games together.
Monitor & Control Your Child’s Screen Time
You should also monitor your child’s screen usage and, if they do, ask them to turn off their screens. Children are submerged in screens, making it difficult for them to manage their screen time. Children younger than 5 years old need extra help to manage their screen time.
You can’t keep track of what your child is doing on their screen with a stopwatch and follow them around. Technology is the best tool for this purpose. Safes allows you to monitor and control the screen time of your children without them touching it. Everything can be managed from your smartphone.
How to Lock your Child’s Screen with Safes
Safes is a comprehensive parental control app with screen time monitoring/controlling features. This app will allow you to see if your child is using their device too much. You can block apps and set screen time. We’ll be describing Safes’ screen-time monitoring features in greater detail below.
Screen Time Report
Safes Kids app will be on the phone, tablet or computer of your child. It will gather information about your child’s device use and send it to Safes app. Monthly, weekly, daily and weekly reports will be sent to you. Soon you will be able to see which apps your child uses the most.
Screen Time Limit
You can limit the number of apps that your child uses after reviewing the reports. You can limit the screen time for each individual app or a group of apps. The selected apps will automatically close when your child has reached the limit.
Screen Time Schedule
Safes allows you to create a schedule for screen time for each day of your week. It is possible to give more screen time on weekends. This schedule will automatically repeat.
Screen Time Profile
Screen time profiles can be created for specific days or special situations. You can, for example, create a vacation profile.
Geofence
You can use the geofence feature to select a geographic zone on the map, and then set screen time limits. The restrictions apply when your child enters the area; when they leave, the restrictions reverse. The geofence feature can be used to stop your child playing mobile games at school.
Block/Terminate Apps
You can ban an app that you don’t want your child using. You can immediately close an app if your child is using it too often.
Instant Block (Screen Lock)
Instant block allows you to lock the screen of your child’s phone, tablet or computer. Instant block will instantly lock your child’s tablet, phone, or computer. Your child will be restricted from using their device except to call and send SMS. This feature protects your child against screen addiction.
Bedtime Mode
The bedtime mode function is the same as the instant block. However, you can now set your child’s device so that it locks at a particular time each night. This feature will ensure that your child doesn’t wake up from their devices, whether they are using tablets, phones, or computers, after bedtime.
How to Protect Your Child From Screen Addiction
Most parents are concerned about their children’s excessive use of screens. Excessive screen time can lead to multiple health problems. Parents are now looking for ways to help their children avoid screen addiction. This article will help you to identify if your child is spending too much time on screens. Safes can be used to control screen time for your child.
Track the time your child spends using electronic devices
What percentage of your child’s time do they spend using electronic devices? What are your child’s most common online activities? Are you able to see your child’s screen time mainly in online classes? Is your child more interested in online learning than playing games?
You must be aware of all online activity by your child. Place all electronic devices and computers where you can easily monitor them.
Model healthy screen use
A great tip to curb screen time addiction among children is to show them the behavior you desire. Children will follow your lead if you are constantly checking your phone.
If you want to be a positive role model for your children, limit your screen time and avoid binge-watching TV.
Limit screen exposure during bedtime
Children need to sleep well, and not play games or watch videos before bedtime. You’ll get better sleep if you turn off the screens an hour before bedtime.
Limit the use of electronic devices and gadgets to the bedroom. You don’t have to rely on electronic devices to get your child to sleep. Instead, try other sleep-inducing activities without screens. Read bedtime stories to your child before you go to bed every night.
