How to Limit Screen Time for Your Kids

Photo: iStock.com/Layla Bird

The electronic world is something of a playground for kids. But just like you wouldn’t let your children run rampant and unsupervised on an actual playground, you shouldn’t expect a completely safe experience online or in front of the television, either. While safety alone is a big issue on the internet, spending excessive time in front of any screen can be detrimental in its own way. Here’s how to limit screen time so kids can enjoy more quality time doing things that benefit them.

Help Them Learn by Example

Kids will often mirror their behaviors to reflect your actions. If you spend the majority of your time tapping away on your phone or tablet or watching Netflix all weekend long, they’re likely to fall into similar habits simply because it’s a part of their daily experience with you. By limiting your own time online and being more mindful of what you do when you’re around your kids, you can establish a different precedent entirely.

Know What They’re Doing

Computer use can be beneficial, too, of course. It can serve as an invaluable tool for learning, especially when used in conjunction with classroom activities and lessons at home. Make it a point to understand precisely what they’re doing. Implement parental controls to limit their exposure to explicit material. If you feel it’s necessary, you might also control their social media passwords so that you can monitor their behavior online. This is often a good idea when the kids are too young or inexperienced to handle some of the pitfalls of the internet, like cyberbullying and predatory behaviors.

Make Some Areas Off Limits

If you notice that screen time is getting out of hand, or you want to prevent that entirely, set some ground rules. Inform the kids that in some areas of the house, screens are strictly forbidden. Make that a priority in areas where family time is of particular importance, like the kitchen when you’re cooking together, the dining room when you’re enjoying meals together, and the family room when you’re enjoying a game of cards or just relaxing together.

Create Family-Only Times

There are immense benefits to spending time together without introducing screens to the mix. Sure, it’s natural for families to sit in front of the TV and enjoy their favorite program — and that’s perfectly fine. But it shouldn’t be the only activity you enjoy together. Encourage everyone — kids and adults alike! — to disconnect from their electronic media. Turn off the TV.

There are countless family-friendly activities you fill that time with instead! For example, if one person normally cooks while the others stream movies, change the script! Invite everyone into the kitchen to take part in the preparation process. If everyone gets tied up scrolling their social media feeds on a lazy weekend afternoon, start a new routine. Round up your family and go for a walk to the nearest park instead. The idea is to replace solo time in front of the screen with together time doing something entirely different.

Involve Them in Different Activities

Just as important as spending time with the family is involving children in different activities. It’s simply too easy to become addicted to the screen, and the temptation to look at social media, play games, and stream programming can be irresistible for kids of all ages. While it’s okay to enjoy screen time occasionally, creating a sense of balance is absolutely essential to their emotional and physical well-being. Kids can do quite a bit when they aren’t using their electronics! There are books to read, playgrounds to explore, sports to learn, and classes to take. Encouraging different activities can be life-changing!