Addiction to the internet is a real and well documented problem. Troublingly, among kids today, screen time with multiple devices comprises the main environment and experience. Researchers say that too much time spent with all these screens could cause “neuroadaptation and structural changes in neural regions associated with addiction”. This and the fact that screen time translates into sedentary behaviour that negatively impacts health and fitness make Screen Dependency Disorder very worrying for parents indeed.
It may be tempting to keep a baby engaged with some sort of gadget/device; prevent a tantrum or crying. However there is never any real need for a baby younger than 18 months to have screen time apart from, say, video chatting.
Keep the conversation open with kids – about school, about things that trouble them, friends, the playground and also about technology and its impacts. “It’ll spoil your eyes” may not satisfy kids any more. Instead parents need to be more realistic and clued in. Explain to the child that while there are some great benefits of technology there are dangers as well. Internet addiction can cause developmental problems, sleep deprivation, social isolation and so on.
It’s important for parents to remain highly engaged with their kids’ lives: to know about their likes, their fears, interests. While avoiding an inquisitorial attitude, share your own views so that a child is more comfortable sharing their own. Engage in hobbies, games or fitness routines together. Spending quality time together helps strengthen the relationship and also offers up clues about things that may being going wrong in your child’s life.
Make sure your child is watching age appropriate content. Take the trouble to find out what your child is watching and decide whether it’s suitable. It may be convenient to let your child watch Bigg Boss or some saas-bahu nonsense but it could be too adult or regressive for kids to watch. It may be difficult but it is important to set boundaries about what kids can watch on TV, what they can access on the internet and what is a complete no-no.
Make it clear that your child can only be on gadgets /electronics for a specific amount of time each day; no more. Clarify whether that is to include or exclude the time they may need to for study related screen time. Also clarify that if rules are infringed, other privileges or the next day’s screen time will be impacted.
If you tell your child to stop watching TV only so you can watch it, that isn’t sending out the right message. If you spend time immersed in your phone but berate your child about doing the same, it will be quite ineffective. If you expect your child to limit screen time, self regulate and limit your own screen time.
Get the TV out of the bedroom. Make it a rule that there will be no phones on the table at meal times. No one will be on their phone when the family is doing something together or when entertaining guests. A few such rules will help to automatically reduce screen time.
If your child spends too much time a gadget without break, this is the first sign. If he or she lies or is dishonest about screen time, or what they with their screen time, this is also troubling. Watch out for mood or appetite changes. Watch out for social isolation or a disinterest in friends or favourite activities; particularly if the child seems to prefer online activities and virtual communities to real ones. If a child is sleeping too little or seems unable to keep to their schedule may also be demonstrating warning signs.
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