7 Tips to Limit Your Child’s Screen Time
1. Model Healthy Electronic Use
It’s important to role model healthy electronics use for your children. So before you binge watch your favorite Netflix series, remember to set a good example. Keeping the TV on for background noise all the time or scrolling through your phone any time you have a spare minute teaches your child bad habits.
2. Educate Yourself on Electronics
3. Create “Technology-Free Zones”
Establish zones in your house where you just don’t allow electronics, like smartphones and laptops. For example, the dining room can be a great technology-free zone that is reserved for meals and family conversation.
4. Set Aside Times to Unplug
Set aside times for the entire family to become unplugged from technological devices. For example, the dinner hour or an hour before bedtime can be great times for the entire family to have quality time together without TV, video games and computers.
5. Talk to Kids About the Dangers of Too Much Screen Time
Kids who understand, “It’s not healthy to watch too much TV,” are less likely to try and break the rules compared to kids who think, “I can’t watch TV because my parents are mean.”
6. Encourage Other Activities
Kids easily grow dependent on technology for entertainment. Encourage your children to become involved in activities that don’t involve screens.
Get your child to play outside, read a book or play a game.
7. Don’t Allow Screen Media in Your Child’s Bedroom
It’s impossible to monitor a child’s screen media use if it’s allowed in the bedroom. Don’t allow your child to have a TV, video game system or computer in his room. This includes hand-held devices that many children use late at night, which can interfere with their sleep.
