How to make screen time a good thing

Technology has become an inseparable part of our lives in the digital age, and all evidence points to it playing an even bigger role in the lives of our children. Most of this interaction will be through screens – such as TVs, phones, and computers – which is likely why so many parents seem wary of screens.

Screens aren’t inherently bad, what swings them, either way is how they’re used. To help you get screen time right with your kids, here are some simple tips for getting screen time right.

Choose the right content

They say that you are what you eat and the same goes for the content that you consume. When it comes to your children, their minds are constantly developing, which means that screens can be used for the good of your children – provided that you choose the right content.

For example, there are some excellent free kids cartoons that are designed to educate your children as they laugh along with their favourite characters. There are also educational apps and games available too that will be good for your children. By choosing this content and exposing your children to it, you can make screen time a positive experience for your kids.

Use them sparingly

When screens are used too much or as a fallback, this can become a problem. Your goal should be to try and grow your child’s interest in different hobbies and activities so that they don’t want to spend all of their time in front of a screen. The first step is to avoid using it as a failsafe every time they say they’re bored. Screens are very effective at keeping them still, however, they aren’t the only thing that you can use.

Make it part of a routine

Using screens as part of a routine is a good way to limit their use. For example, you could let your children use screens as they eat their breakfast or for a short period outside of school when they get home from school. This will allow you to give your children their screen fix without letting them overindulge.

Lead by example

Finally, when it comes to screens, it’s important to remember who your children will learn most of their behaviour from – you. If they see you using screens constantly throughout the day, can you honestly expect them to want to do things differently? We aren’t saying that you need to forsake technology entirely. Instead, simply try to be conscious of how much you use screens in front of your children.

Wrapping up

By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to make the use of screens a positive experience for your children.