How To Prevent Phone Addition in Your Child
The likelihood of someone not owning a smartphone is extremely low. Furthermore, it is extremely uncommon for a child of a younger age to have never used or be unfamiliar with a smartphone. Since technology is always changing, younger generations are more exposed to and up-to-date on new developments. They now use technology on a daily basis and it has become indispensable to their routine. But for many years, parents have been more worried about their kids as a result of numerous studies on the effects of children’s phone use.
It’s not very uncommon to hear of the term “phone addiction”. However, with the recent circumstances and the switch to online learning, children’s usage of smartphones has also been on the rise. With this, it can also be quite difficult for parents to monitor their children’s phone usage. As children will also ask for their privacy, parents can’t also hound them over and watch their every move. So, how can parents prevent their children from being addicted to their phones without watching over their shoulders all the time?
Table of Contents
What causes phone addiction?
In today’s world, being around smartphones has become commonplace. Our cellphones are becoming increasingly capable of handling more tasks due to technological advancements, which inadvertently increase our dependence on them. Smartphones are now capable of performing a number of everyday functions, such as checking the time and calendar, seeing your schedule, and taking notes on purchases. Not to mention that smartphones double as cameras, storing memories of priceless occasions and enabling instant sharing.
As a result, there is a link between children’s increased use of mobile devices like phones and tablets and their mental health. Teenagers in particular may be more prone to continually checking their phones and social media for notifications, which is a result of their developing FOMO. They have always aspired to be “in the know” and have an irrational fear of missing anything, no matter how significant. They might also tend to check their phones every few minutes for this reason.
It can be different for younger kids. They are not using smartphones as a kind of pacifier. From an early age, they utilize their smartphones as a continuous source of amusement. There are numerous explanations for this. It could be because their parents want to keep their child quiet or because they have other things to do and need to keep their child entertained. But parents will probably forget that if they keep their kids busy all the time, they won’t have the time to feel bored and come up with new and inventive methods to pass the time.
As such, children who are addicted to their smartphones are more prone to not being active physically and socially, and thus, they may be prone to childhood obesity and behavioral problems like difficulty in concentration and aggressiveness. If parents or their guardians cannot control their children’s phone addiction once it has started, it can be even more damaging to the child’s overall well-being in the long run.
How to know if your child is addicted to their phones?
There are many ways to know if your child is getting addicted to their smartphones and the most notable one is that they have been using the device for the whole day and they refuse to put it away. It can even become harder when you talk to them and their eyes are still glued on the screen as if they can’t look away for just a moment. Another common sign is when they refuse to go out and play and opt to stay indoors with their devices. This may not always be seen as a problem, especially with the current situation. But if the child refuses to even leave their room to socialize with the members of the family, that can pose a problem and may even be the start of them having social and behavioral issues.
How to prevent phone addiction?
Parents only care about what’s best for their kids, so if their constant phone use is endangering their well-being, it’s time for them to take charge. Don’t worry, even though it can be challenging for parents to stop their kids from using their smartphones because they need to use them for schoolwork and other purposes. To avoid phone addiction and reduce their children’s phone use, parents should try these suggestions.
1. Designate a “phone-free” area in the house
Establishing a phone-free zone within the house is a smart strategy to help avoid phone addiction. It might be in the dining room, living room, kitchen, or even the places where your kids spend most of their time glued to their phones. Doing something for the first time can be challenging, and there might be some opposition. However, if you do choose to do so, you can also begin by exposing your child to other activities, like family time or even housework, that wouldn’t involve using their phones.
As an example, if the chosen “no-phone” area is the kitchen, you can ask your child to help you with cooking meals instead. If it’s the dining area, you can entice them with family conversations and talk to them about their day. If the “no-phone” area is the living room, you can host a board games night for the family or engage them with other fun activities that the family can bond together and distract them from not using their phone.
2. Set an example
Young children, in particular, learn best through imitation. They imitate what they see their parents or other adults doing. It follows that kids are likely to imitate you if they witness their parents using their phones all day. Also, since parents are also using their phones obsessively, they will have an excuse to quarrel with their parents when they point out their children’s behavior. In an argument, they can also ask, “Why can’t they do it if their parents are?”
Parents should also attempt to reduce their reliance on their phones before this circumstance occurs. Set a good example for your child by demonstrating that you can engage in activities like watching a good show, reading a book, creating art, and engaging in hobbies that don’t involve using a phone. Additionally, it might be an excellent opportunity to introduce children to fresh concepts and pursuits that may inspire their own passions and creativity.
3. Monitor your child’s activities
Indeed, parents aren’t constantly present to keep an eye on their kids’ activities, particularly when they’re using their phones. But with modern technology and unique features that let parents keep an eye on their kids’ usage, this isn’t that far-fetched anymore. Additionally, contemporary smartphones offer parental control tools that let parents monitor and limit their kids’ phone usage. Some of these capabilities even have the ability to automatically turn off the phone when the user reaches their daily usage limit.
By connecting to their child’s associated phone account, several apps and features also let parents monitor activity reports. In order to adjust these features to their children’s needs, parents can verify with their kids and toggle them. Additionally, keep in mind to preserve your child’s privacy. Therefore, don’t allow them to use your phone after they’ve used it up for the day because that will completely negate the reason you set it up in the first place. Make it clear to them that they will not be allowed to act in this manner.
4. Encourage non-digital activities
As previously said, including your child in non-digital activities can also serve as a distraction and help prevent phone addiction. Along with this, parents ought to encourage their kids to engage in more non-technological activities rather than merely using them as a way to divert their attention from their phones. By providing their kids with the tools they would require to engage in these activities, parents can encourage them. Sports equipment for games they might like, books on subjects they are interested in, or even painting tools for imaginative thoughts they might wish to put on paper are all examples.
As such, doing these activities with them will also help in stimulating them. Children may need some prodding or people they can play with for them to try something new and their parents may just be the person they need for this.
Conclusion
Unquestionably, smartphones are useful and significant in today’s world, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that using them excessively might be dangerous, particularly for young people. Therefore, while it’s still possible, teach your child about the negative consequences of excessive phone use and provide them with activities that will keep them from developing a phone addiction.
Carelle
Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.
