“You have been on your phone for one hour. Do something else, please.” “You just switched off the TV and now you are on your phone.” Do these sentences sound familiar to you? In almost every household, these are a few standard sentences. We often set limits on kids’ screen time. During their yearly well check visits, doctor asks us about child’s screen time. But what about us? We are never asked about how much time we spend on screen. Maybe during our eye exam, our ophthalmologist asks us about it. That is it. We talk about our child’s development and how we can contribute towards it. But no one tells us that we need to lower our screen time so that it will not affect our child’s development. With the increased use of screens, it has become one of the essential topics to discuss.
Related article: Helping kids in using the technology
We say that our job demands us to be on our laptops or phone. The same applies to kids as well. They say that their studies require them to be on their laptops or they have to discuss a few studies-related stuff that need them to use their phone. What do you have to say about it?
We cannot avoid whatever is necessary, but anything over our requirements is what we are discussing here. We hardly pay attention to our screen usage, which negatively affects our child’s development.
Can my parental screen time affect my child’s development?
Negatively affect bonding opportunities with kids: Humans can focus on one task at a time. When discussing spending time with kids, they require 100% attention. Saying “I am listening” or” I am watching you” while you are on your phone will not work. According to experts like the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, optimal brain development depends on meaningful interactions between your child and you.
It lowers kid’s self-worth: When parents are busy on their phones or screens, unknowingly, they convey a message to their children smartphones hold more importance. This can negatively impact their self-worth.
Delayed language development: Understanding words, pronouncing them correctly, and showing interest in increasing vocabulary is essential to a child’s development. It is possible when parents spend quality time with them. By quality time, I mean to say, one-on-one interaction with them. Parents, often take the help of TV or ipads to finish their chores. Once in a while, it is okay, but it should not go for long hours. Any app cannot replace teachable moments between a parent and a child.
Related article: How to help your child in vocabulary building
It may put children at risk: While parents are busy on their phones or screen, the curious brain of kids may think of something unsafe. Parents always want their kids to be safe, and they make every possible effort to make this happen. But sometimes, they are so engrossed in watching something that they completely lose track of what the kids are up to.
Affects our mood: Watching a movie can entertain us but watching something disturbing can affect our mindset. The same applies to social media. It can make us moody, depressed, or irritable. We cannot change our mood instantly, which continues while dealing with kids.
What can be done?
Join your kids during their screen time:
- Be with them if they are watching any show.
- Have interaction with them.
- While watching a movie, pause occasionally and have a quick conversation with them about what has just happened.
This is very effective when introducing a new language to them.
Have some set rules for yourself: e.g. No phone usage at the dinner table or while playing with kids. The same applies to the time spent on social media as well.
Keep an eye on your emotional health: If you observe or realize any changes in your behavior due to what you see on social media, do not ignore it.
Limit yourself from offering them ipads at a restaurant or on road trips. Instead, engage them in some meaningful interaction, games etc.
Wrap-Up:
Parents need to watch out for their screen time if they want to leave a positive impression on their child’s development.
