Do You Know How To Get Your Children To Get Off Their Cell Phones?
We live in a society where screens have invaded our lives: television, computer, tablet and mobile phone.
And not only that, it seems that we need these electronic devices in our daily lives to work, talk with friends at all hours, pass the time… We always carry one with us, and this has led to the era of immediacy in the one where we want them to answer messages instantly, to inform us exactly where our online order is or to make that work call. Without forgetting social networks (which seem to be the only way to socialize nowadays), the overbooking of applications that we have for absolutely everything, games, physical activity monitors, etc.
What can you do to help your children get off their cell phones?
Who hasn’t heard that the more connected we are, the more we disconnect from what’s around us? Well, it is still true for some people who are always immersed in their screen, even when they are with other people. And this can create conflicts with friends and even family, for example by keeping an eye on Instagram during a Christmas dinner or answering work calls on days off.
So, dear reader who, as a father or mother, puts your hands on your head thinking that your son or daughter can’t stop updating Instagram, watching stories or uploading photos, in addition to WhatsApping their friends and sending audios, I bring you 5 Tips so that screens interfere with your family life as little as possible.
Sit down and talk to your children in a serious way. Don’t be afraid to approach them and convey your concerns. Don’t forget to inform them about the dangers of social networks, as well as the benefits ; As a father or mother you are responsible for your little ones knowing the world and for warning them, warning them and teaching them both its good and bad things.
Make sure you explain it in depth and that they understand it correctly, connect with their emotions and don’t be shy with examples.
2. Agree on limits and schedules
Reach an agreement with them regarding the hours they spend in front of the screens. Of course, They must be schedules adapted to their age because a teenager, for example, will want to use their cell phone more (to talk to their friends and socialize on the networks) than a 7-year-old boy or girl.
It is important that they are not schedules imposed by parents, but that the children’s opinion counts; You will have to negotiate and think about what the screens may need on some occasions to carry out work or search for information.
In addition, you must keep in mind that sometimes you will be working or with your friends, and you will not always be able to ensure that they meet the agreed hours. I recommend that you do not get overwhelmed and do not always try to have it under control. It is not about imposing strict rules, but about finding a balance and learning to regulate themselves.
In this regard, remember that there are stages of growth in which the youngest people try to distance themselves more from their parents and relate more to their peers. An example could be: no cell phones during meals, or no screens before bed.
3. Spend quality time together
Take the opportunity to spend more time as a family and do things together Try to ensure that during this time you do things that you all like, that you can change activities, that you reach agreements regarding the activities that you will do and that you make sure that all votes and opinions count equally.
During these moments together, forge bonds, share your daily life, your worries, etc. You can go from watching a movie together to going on a hike, the possibilities are endless!
4. Offer them alternatives
Think that the mobile phone is an easy and comfortable remedy for boredom Social networks offer us fast and varied entertainment. We can even see stores, update the news, talk to friends from our mobile. Let’s remember that it is not a negative tool, although we spend a lot of time with it it has multiple benefits.
This is why competing with this device is so complicated, but if you keep your mind busy with other entertaining tasks, cell phone use decreases.
I recommend puzzles, reading and writing, painting, signing up for activities outside of school hours, meeting friends, going to museums, organizing social activities, board games, etc.
5. Set an example and be consistent
It is difficult to try to get your children to spend less time on their cell phones. if they see their parents at home using it continuously Thus, it is important to introspect and evaluate what our children may be learning with our behaviors.
I know that sometimes we need our cell phone for work, but we have to remember that the agreed limits and schedules are for everyone, it is not worth it for my son to leave his cell phone at dinner if I answer work calls at that time.
We must learn to find balance in the use of new technologies and social networks in family life, always adapting to circumstances and being flexible.
