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Are you confused about dealing with a child who has too much screen time and are worried that your little one will be addicted to gadgets? It turns out there are simple tips that can be applied at home.
Managing gadget use so that children don't stare at screens excessively is a challenge for parents nowadays.
In fact, according to the CS Mott Children's Hospital National Poll in the United States in 2023, more than two-thirds of parents have big concerns regarding screen time or the high amount of time their children use gadgets.
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A psychologist and children's media researcher at SRI International, Claire Christensen, believes that sometimes parents relax so as not to become a burden. He also said that not all screen time is bad.
According to CNBC Make It, watching high-quality educational content can help children learn important skills and develop emotional intelligence. This makes your little one grow into a successful adult.
“I encourage families to sit down and think about what their children's needs need to be met,” Christensen said.
Psychologist Christensen suggests that parents try to find better ways to switch off from screen time, such as chatting or playing with their children. This psychologist also shared four simple tips for managing time when using devices or gadgets without causing children to throw tantrums.
1. Consistently apply the rules
Christensen said parents must continue to apply clear rules about when and how long children can interact with gadgets. Not only that, mothers also need to help direct their children to higher quality content.
“Research shows that children are less likely to have problems related to gadget use if their parents have rules,” he said.
2. Be wary of watching short-duration content
There are many studies that show short videos, such as 60-second TikTok videos to 10-minute YouTube videos, have a negative impact even though they provide satisfaction for children.
“Short videos have a powerful impact on kids, making it harder for them to stop watching,” Christensen said.
Therefore, direct your little one to watch longer content, such as TV shows whose narration is arranged in 30 minute episodes.
3. Create activities to divert screen time
Divert your child's attention from screen time to other activities. For example, if Mom and Dad want to shift screen time to meal time, they can offer a choice of food or drink to attract attention.
Mother and Father can also play or read books with their children. This can also be a time for parents and children to bond.
4. Settings via application
Some smartphones have built-in settings that can help set time limits for using the gadget. Take advantage of certain platforms and channels, such as YouTube Kids, to set limits on how much content you can watch at one time.
Do you have experience dealing with children who have too much screen time? Come on, share the story in the comments column.
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(fir/fir)