Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the kids have sixty minutes of physical activity every day.
Unfortunately, kids today are sitting in front of their computers, smartphones, smart devices, TV, and all sorts of screens!
According to Kayseria Family Foundation, kids (age 8-18) spend 7.5 hours each day in front of the screens. This time is for entertainment and doesn’t consider their time on homework or school online.
Now, that’s alarming.
Let’s dig in.
How And Why Limit Screen Time for Kids?
Now that you know that a significant portion of a kid’s day is spent online, you must take charge and do something about it before it’s too late.
Consider the following:
#1. Sedentary Lifestyle
Whether you believe it or not, sitting in front of the screens all day and not moving means your kids are falling towards a sedentary lifestyle. They prefer staying indoors and playing all day in front of their screens.
When they are not playing games, they would prefer to watch TV. So the screen is becoming an integral part of your kids’ lives or has already become a significant part.
What can you do about it? Set boundaries and take action. Limit the screen time in the family. You can use apps like these to help you. You get some time for yourself when kids are busy in front of the screens, but it’s not suitable for them. Gradually decrease the screen time and limit it to 1 hour each day or what you mutually decide.
#2. Eyestrain
Too much screen time means your kids are putting stress on their eyes such that they are tired. They would play games all day and then turn to the TV for entertainment.
Let your kids know about the importance of healthy eyes. It’s wise to rest their eyes, especially when they can’t manage the spectacles at an early age.
What can you do about it? First, take your kids for regular eye checkups. Then, let the doctor speak and guide your kids!
#3. No Interaction with Real People
When your kids are playing online, they don’t want to interact with others in the room. It’s a strange feeling when they are physically there but mentally in the virtual world.
You, as a parent, could be online on social media too. So, both the kids and parents could be online instead of talking under the same roof.
What can you do about it? First, you can encourage your kids to spend more time with you. Then, play games together or go out for walks in the park. Then, leave the screen for a day or two and see how it feels.
#4. Too Busy to Eat
When there is a mission to complete or an avatar has a special gift, it’s easy to let go of food and everything else. However, the situation is intense, so food and everything else in life become secondary.
Your kids would indulge in a game to such an extent or binge-watch a show that they may forget eating lunch or purposely avoid it to finish the story!
What can you do about it? Tell your kids that everything else is second, but first, you need to eat your food. After that, they must finish the food, and then they would be able to play or watch TV. Establish strict rules on food consumption.
#5. It’s Becoming A Habit
Even though you want the best for your kid and strive for your level best, it’s hard at times. You may find it hard to control the screen time for the kids. It’s a habit for you and the kids.
Now, the family can’t function without the screentime. Parents binge-watch Netflix at night, and kids follow the route. Your kids look up to you for solutions and learn from you. When you can’t control or limit your screen time as an adult, how do you expect the same from the kids?
What can you do about it? Ask for help when you don’t know how to deal with a particular situation. Your kids have no idea, but you understand that too much of anything, whether screen time or something else, has consequences—plan to do things according to plans and bring harmony and moderation in life.
Wrapping It Up
Life can become more interesting to the kids when they leave the screens and spend more time with their families. Tell your kids that it’s about creating precious memories, and once they are old, they must have something to talk about their childhood. The same rule applies to adults as kids look up to their elders.
So, it’s time to get offline and be with your kids!
