LIFESTYLE

Escaping the Digital Realm: A guide to managing kids' screen time

BY Kenneth Teston and Marvin Cabalhin | November 09, 2023

Advanced technology continues to bridge the gap between humans and the internet. As the Generation Alpha, who are born from 2010 up to the present, have technology hardwired within their systems, they are indeed living up to their name as “digital natives.” They are raised in a world where the internet is an essential part of their lives, sharing their diverse attributes, and being unafraid to explore their identities.

Gadgets are of utmost importance in today’s society. With their growing significance in every household, how can parents effectively supervise the screen time of their children?

Although usage of technological devices may provide kids temporary happiness from watching interactive online shows and playing games with visually appealing graphics, don't be fooled by its stumbling blocks disguised within. Adults should make sure that parental care remains undistracted by such technological innovations.

Exposure to gadgets at an early age, especially during infancy, poses risks to the development of a child. It can result in a condition called "Screen Dependency Disorder," which according to US-based psychologist Dr. Aric Sigmant is an addictive behavior to gadgets and other display screens, which can be recognized through symptoms of insomnia, weight gain or loss, and failure to reduce or stop screen activities.

In a study published by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) One and JAMA Pediatrics, extended usage of gadgets for more than seven hours per week can cause poor eyesight, leading to myopia or nearsightedness and weaken brain development, in what experts found to be due to a delay in white matter growth. This is a vital connection between brain cells and the nervous system that can affect cognitive, language, and literacy skills.

In the Philippines, based on a report by PhilStar Life, around 30% of the Philippine population consists of children aged six to 18, and approximately eight million Filipino children could be affected by myopia.

As a parent, is this something that worries you as well? Know that you are not facing this alone. Here are some steps you may take to balance your kids' usage with a more positive internet experience and prevent these long-term problems.

One step at a time

Attention, parents! Changes begin from a small step and you should initiate the action. Your complete guidance is required. Infancy through early childhood is crucial for a child's overall development, which is why more than 100% of your effort as a parent is needed to help your kids develop positive habits until they can finally attain them.

If the child already relies on their device, where should we initiate the transformation? Establish rules, but don't forget to loosen up on their enforcement. Take responsibility by issuing warnings when rules are disregarded. Be purposeful in effecting the change.

Stick to the practical. Offer them toys that engage their senses. Such toys spark their natural curiosity for discovering and exploring things independently and participating in activities while they play. Dedicating time to stimulate their senses nurtures the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, physical, and creative development of children.

Puzzles, musical toys, play dough, textured balls, and stacking objects are suggested to help develop their motor skills, sensory play, problem-solving, focus, and spatial awareness.

Consistency is key

Like any other habit, reducing kids’ screen time can be trained, and the key component is consistency. It allows them to easily adjust from the gradual reduction of their screen time until they develop the discipline of non-reliance on their gadgets.

If your child has not yet developed a dependency on gadgets, it is easier to build a routine. It doesn’t have to be intricate, as long as you allot specific screen time and it’s regularly followed.

For example, they can only have two hours using their gadget or watching TV, and for the rest of the day, you can encourage them to play outside. Say you can’t make them go to sleep or just need to distract them for a while; those are the perfect opportunities to allow screen time.

Gadget-dependent kids, on the other hand, can be quite hard to convince to take a break from their gadgets since screens are already built into their system. You can’t just suddenly cut their access in half.

Transitioning is important for these kids, such as slowly introducing screen breaks in short durations where they are given tasks to complete to keep them occupied. Increasing the daily breaks and allowing them to explore activities will help them adjust gradually.

Another important thing that goes along with consistency is setting expectations. Before the screen time session starts, make the time limit or what they can access on their gadget clear. You can advise them, for example, that they are allowed to watch until mealtime or that they can only play two levels and continue tomorrow. This way, they can condition their minds on what to expect and not be shocked once their time is over.

Teamwork makes the dream work

While building routines can help foster discipline, some kids get bored or agitated with repetitive tasks. The solution is to introduce randomness. Switch up the times allotted for their devices or divide them into multiple small segments within the day, then repeat the process for the following days.

Sounds like a lot of work? Get your kids involved. They like to have a sense of control over what they do; allowing them to be part of the decision-making process encourages them to be more cooperative with the rules and limits you have established. This way, they will not feel restricted with gadget use and it will eventually allow them to manage their screen time independently.

You can simply ask their opinion or provide them with options such as, “Do you want to watch cartoons or play a game?” or “Would you like to use your tablet after dinner or after finishing homework?” or “Do you want to use a timer, or once you finish the level, you’ll take a break?”

Conversely, parents should get involved in what they do too. Discuss with your child what makes an app, game, show, or movie worthwhile, or try playing a game and talk about what they like about it. This way, you make them feel you can relate to what they're doing and are not just imposing rules.

Disconnect to connect

Once the screen time session is over and you’ve run out of tasks to keep them occupied, there's no need to panic about what to do with their uncontainable energy. Encourage them to play outdoors with other kids to further stimulate their five senses and foster social skills. This also promotes muscular development, which is much needed by their growing bodies.

The family can also maximize this time to disconnect from the digital world and stretch their bodies by going on walks or runs, playing sports like badminton, having a picnic, connecting with nature, or if the weather tells you to stay home, playing board games. Physical activity not only promotes an active lifestyle but also enhances mood and refreshes the mind.

Maximize your kids' curiosity and why not drag them along and let them help you clean the house, do the laundry, and cook food? Start teaching the fundamentals of life at an early age while letting them enjoy small things.

You can then set screen-free hours during dinnertime and talk about their day. Sparking small but meaningful conversations around the table promotes openness and strengthens family ties.

While technology performs a vital function in everyone’s life today, it is important we teach kids not to be dependent on their gadgets, as this can have a long-term detrimental impact on their development and way of life. By starting to manage their screen time, you lead them toward having a “balanced tech diet.” They develop discipline and social connectedness, especially with their parents.

There is never a dead-end in managing your kids’ screen time, no matter how hard the process may seem. As parents, the power to prevent Screen Dependency Disorder is in our hands, and there is no better time to act than now.