How To Get Your Child Off Electronics

For better or for worse, most of us can say that screen time is a regular part of our lives nowadays. It's true that many benefits have come with advancements in technology. However, too much time spent using electronics has the potential to seriously impact well-being, especially for kids. Research indicates that too much screen time can negatively affect brain development and lead to unhealthy habits, like a reduction in physical activity.

Especially if your child has ADHD, they may be more prone to spending excessive time in the digital world. After all, higher rates of screen addiction in ADHD kids and related conditions. So, what can you do? In this article, we'll talk about how to get your child off of electronics and get to a more balanced place with technology usage.

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How Much Screen Time Is Too Much Screen Time?

If you're concerned about your child's screen time, you might wonder, "How much is too much?" The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests the following guidelines:

• Eighteen months or younger: Limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (e.g., a parent on vacation).
• Between eighteen and twenty-four months: Limit screen time to watching educational programs with a caregiver.
• Children ages two to five years: Limit non-educational screen time to roughly one hour daily on weekdays and three hours daily on weekends.
• Children ages six and older: Encourage healthy habits and limit screen-based activities.

Parents should turn off all screens during family meals and outings, get informed on and use parental controls, and remove screens from a child's bedroom thirty minutes to one hour before bedtime to improve sleep. Talk with your child's doctor if you're concerned about their screen time to get personalized guidance. If your child is experiencing serious signs of screen addiction that do not seem to let up when addressed at home, it may be ideal to seek out a mental health provider who can help.

Tips For Getting Kids Off Of Electronics

Now that you know more about ideal screen time limits for kids, how do you limit their time watching TV, playing video games, or otherwise spending time on screens? Here are some tips for getting kids off of electronics that you can use.

Replace screen time with family time

Spending quality time together is an excellent way to bond and reduce screen time all at once. Finding a project or activity that involves the entire family and does not involve screens means that kids are less likely to be tempted by other family members' technology use.

Non-tech family activities can include but aren't limited to:

• Mini golf
• Libraries
• Museums
• Board games
• Card games
• Art projects
• Going to the park
• Cooking or baking
• Sports
• Swimming
• Yoga

Set a screen time limit

Set a daily limit on how much time your child can spend using screens. Make sure that these are consistent limits and that you follow through with what you say. If you say that you'll limit screen time and fail to follow through, kids most likely won't take you seriously. It can be hard at first, but remaining firm is key. You can set limits based on the AACAP guidelines we discussed earlier or consult with your child's doctor.

Use parental control setting

You can set a screen time limit, but how do you get your child to stick to those guidelines? Use parental control settings on your child's device. With parental controls, you can set limits on device usage. Once a child reaches that limit, the device will lock or otherwise prohibit continued use. Different parental control apps also frequently allow parents to monitor what their child does on an electronic device and show what kids have used their phone or computer for (e.g., social media sites and YouTube videos).

Go outside

As one may anticipate, it's easier to avoid screens if you're engaging in an outdoor activity and no one around you has their phone out. Walks, yard work, riding bikes, hiking, and going to the playground are all ways to spend time in nature and get a break from screens. As a bonus, many outdoor activities double as other activities that can involve the whole family.

Make crafts

Younger children and older kids both tend to enjoy arts and crafts. Depending on age, motor skills, and other factors, here are some ideas:

• Color in coloring books
• Sand art
• Soap making
• Painting
• Drawing
• Tie-dye
• Collages

Arts and crafts are often affordable. They are also ideal because most art projects make for both appealing solo activities but can involve other people, too.

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Have a set time to use electronics

In addition to setting screen time limits, having a set time for electronics can be incredibly helpful for families working to limit their child's screen time. This way, when a child wants to play video games, use the computer, or otherwise engage with technology, you can say, "That sounds fun - you can do that at 4 PM," and gently redirect them to the activity they are supposed to be engaging in at the current time. When kids can only use electronics at a certain time, it is also harder to let them exceed their screen time limit on accident.

Add non-tech activities to your child's routine

We talk a lot about setting limits on screen time to reduce technology usage in children. However, it's much harder for kids to stick to it if they don't know what else to do. It makes sense to gravitate toward technology when you don't know what to spend time on. To combat this, ensure your child's routine includes an activity that is completely free of electronic use. Reading, sports, time spent helping you cook dinner, and music classes are all potential examples.

Help kids find new hobbies

You want to add a non-technology-based activity to your child's routine, but what if you're at a loss? Have an open conversation with your child and ask about their interests that don't involve screens. Are there any new hobbies they'd like to try? Especially if you have older children or teens, their interests may have changed throughout the years. Keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say. This can also open a conversation about how to balance online life with life offline, navigate concerns related to social media, and the importance of limiting screen time.

Be a good example

Children learn by watching adults in their life. If your child sees that you use electronic devices in excess, they may be more apt to fight back on their own screen time limits. Of course, adults may need electronics for work and other reasons, and this doesn't mean that you shouldn't use them at all. Instead, set a good example for your child by making it a point to power electronics down during family time, filling your spare time with healthy hobbies like reading or spending time outdoors, and modeling other positive behaviors, like reducing screen time before bed. You might even try a digital detox yourself if you have an unhealthy relationship with it.

Takeaway

Young people often spend a great deal of time playing games, using social media, or otherwise engaging in the use of digital technology. While not all screen time is bad, research shows that too much screen time can have negative effects on physical and mental health. There are ways parents can reduce their child's screen time. Finding alternative activities, setting screen time limits, and being a good example are all ways to help reduce screen time in kids. If a child needs extra help with screen addiction, mental health providers may be able to help.