Today’s kids are more tech-savvy than ever, with a lot of their days taken up with devices like tablets, laptops, phones, and TVs. Digital devices provide support, whether your child is working hard at school or chilling out in the evening.
But it’s not all good news. Research shows that too much screen time can strain your child’s eyes. In this post, our team at ABC Children's Eye Specialists offers some tips to help you manage your child’s screen time while watching for potential problems.
Like adults, children are more likely to respect rules when they understand why those rules are being set in the first place.
Instead of simply saying, “Because I said so,” explain why limiting screen time is important for their physical health and their emotional well-being, not to mention the toll it takes on family relationships.
Don’t use these discussions as lectures. Instead, encourage your child to voice their concerns and objections.
By including your child in the discussion and helping them understand the impact of too much screen time, you’re more likely to find them cooperative in following the rules you set.
One of the best ways to limit screen time is to have a schedule everyone can follow. Include things like when it’s OK for your child to use electronic devices and how much time they’re allowed during each use.
For instance, you might let them use their screens for an hour or so after homework time, but block them entirely during meals and for the hour before bedtime.
Make the rules as specific as possible and post them in a visible location. Then, be consistent in enforcing them. Need help? The American Academy of Pediatrics offers some age-appropriate tips on its website.
Parental controls are there for a reason. Once you establish the rules for screen use, these controls help you enforce them without confrontation or continual arguments.
Many devices let parents set time limits or specific times, like the hours before bedtime or during homework sessions.
You can (and should) also use parental controls to block content you don’t want your child viewing. Let your child know you’re using these tools not as punishment, but to make it easier to adhere to your family’s digital health plan.
It’s challenging to understand the need for curbing screen time when you see your parents breaking all the rules they’ve just set. Being a role model is one of the best and most powerful ways to set the right example for your kids.
In short, that means setting aside your devices during meals, family activities, and conversations, clearly demonstrating that screens don’t have to be the center of every interaction.
Being a digital-health role model is a powerful learning experience for your child and one that sets the stage for a lifetime of better digital boundaries.
Offering fun alternatives to screen time and building in plenty of family bonding time can help your child naturally wean themselves from their screen habit.
Spend time playing outdoors with your child, going on hikes, or playing a board game together on rainy days. These activities help break the screen habit while helping your child build a stronger sense of identity and self-reliance.
Having regular eye exams during childhood helps us spot problems early, including issues associated with digital eye strain. Additionally, we can offer further guidance to help you maintain your child’s eye health, regardless of the types of activities they enjoy.
To schedule an exam for your child, call our offices to request an appointment with the team at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists in Phoenix, Avondale, Sun City, Gilbert, and Mesa, Arizona, today.
