The other day I attended a parents’ meeting at the school of one of my daughters and one of the issues raised by the school management was that children are spending more time with digital devices and it is affecting their studies. Today, children are starting early to access digital devices, especially their parents’ or guardians’ smart phones and computers, which in itself shouldn’t be a bad thing because in today’s world, digital exposure is key. However, it becomes a problem when children spend more time on these devices, to the extent of affecting their studies. From dozing in class to being distracted, digital devices can have a negative impact on children. To avoid competition (it is fair to say that parents too are addicted to digital devices), parents buy children their own devices such as tablets, smart phones or even computers. Sometimes it is actually a school requirement, in this era, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic, where school-going children pursue their studies online. According to a study done in the U.S by the American Academy of Paediatrics, it was found that up to 75 per cent of young children have their own tablets. While this number could be lower in Rwanda or African countries, the challenge remains the same. It is true that today children start handling mobile devices as early as the first year of life, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) in April 2019 issued guidelines to limit screen time, to at least one hour for children aged between two and five. Majority of us have failed this test, as the gadgets help parents to distract children, especially when they are cranky and agitated. Below are some tips for parents and guardians to consider to manage gadget time for their children. Be a good example Teaching a child the healthy use of electronic devices starts with their parents. Be a role model for your children. If you want to curb the time they spend on gadgets, they should see you do the same. Don’t spend the majority of your free time scrolling through your phone or keeping the TV on all night. Treat gadget use as a reward Instead of allowing a child to consider screen time as a right, make them feel that it’s a reward they need to earn. For example, give them a set of chores to finish before giving them access to electronics. During weekdays, instead of giving them the freedom to watch cartoons or videos on YouTube whenever they like, make sure they’re already done with homework. Or better yet, restrict screen time altogether during the school week. Set up gadget-free zones Many children today have developed a bad habit of bringing gadgets to the dining table because parents allow them to. Create specific zones around your home where electronics are not allowed. The dining area, for one, should strictly be technology-free. This area should be reserved for conversations and meals. Your child’s bedroom should also be a gadget-free zone so that their bedtime routine and sleeping patterns don’t get messed up. Take a break If you have plenty of spare time away from school and work, use this time to do a social media detox. Unplug yourselves from the TV and other technological devices and do other fun activities as a family. Spend quality time with each other and bond by playing indoor games, going to the park, or a quick visit to the nearest shop for a snack. Doing this will make your children feel that they don’t really need a lot of screens to be entertained and happy. Let them understand the reason behind screen time rules: It’s not enough that we tell children to not spend too much time on the TV or reduce the time they spend on electronics. We need to make them understand the dangers of too much screen time. Talk to them and tell them limits are being set so that they don’t get addicted to games and gadgets, and that there are many ways to have fun without spending too much on technology. Encourage playtime and other activities Indeed, children today define fun differently from how kids of previous generations did. Gone are the days when young kids would die for more time spent playing outside. Nowadays, kids have grown so dependent on technology that they’d rather stay indoors instead of interacting with other people. But it’s up to you to turn things around. Outdoor activities Get your little one to play outside by bringing them more often to public spaces like the Car Free Zone. Set up playdates and invite their friends over on weekends. Encourage more reading time by taking them to the library or bookstore. The important thing is they get to find enjoyment from other activities that do not involve screens. Tell them the dangers Electronic gadgets might keep your children busy for a while but too much screen is detrimental to their growth and development. Inform them of these dangers so that they can also make decisions. It’s never too late to limit the time your child spends on technology to a reasonable and healthy amount, and these tips can be your guide.
