“Time to walk the dog, Jeffrey, come on! I’ve asked you THREE times! Get off of that video game already!!”
Every parent knows this battle, and competing for your kids attention when screens are around often feels like being a broken record. Whether it is social media, video games, the latest Netflix series or a combination of these all at once, technology is here to stay and it is pulling all too much of our attention (yes you too, parents!), into a device of some kind. What are we to do?
1. Set clear boundaries around when screens can be used. Balancing screen time and together time is a reality we all have to work at. Establishing specific times for device use, such as putting screens away during meals and before school, and having one spot to charge all devices overnight. (And have a designated time to dock those devices so screens stay charged and out of the bedroom for sleeping hours). Deciding when screens are okay and when they are not will look different for every family, but figuring out how this works best for yours is an important step.
2. Designate regular family time without screens. This can enhance relationships and provide opportunities for meaningful interactions. Activities such as board game nights, trips to the park, backyard game nights, or cooking together allow families to enjoy each other's company without the distraction of screens. Planning events in advance for everyone to look forward to can be a great way to spend quality time together and get everyone’s input for weekend plans or holiday trips. Heading to Grandma's for a holiday meal? Leave the phones at home and enjoy being with your family members!
3. Model healthy screen habits. When parents demonstrate a balanced approach to technology use, children are more likely to adopt similar behaviors. This creates a culture of mindfulness around screen time within the household. Parents, you have to put your cell phones down too when it is meal time and game time, the rules are for everyone!
4. Establish tech-free zones. Keeping the bedrooms free of screens encourages more family time together in your shared living spaces and encourages the value of rest. Having the dinner table be a screen free space encourages face-to-face interactions and helps reinforce the value of being present with one another.
5. Incorporate active screen time together. This can transform how families engage with technology. Choosing interactive video games or educational shows that spark discussion allows screen time to become a shared experience. For example, our family loved watching the Amazing Race during the COVID lock down time. Every family member would pick their favorite team. It was fun and engaging to see who would win in the end and we all got to travel vicariously around the world when there was no travel to be had. Now we still watch new seasons every winter as we still enjoy the experience so much.
By checking in regularly, remaining flexible, and adjusting these guidelines with ages and stages, families can strike a balance, ensuring that both screen time and together time are valued and enjoyed.
Want to read more?
Check out Common Sense Media - a nonprofit organization that provides reviews and guidance on age-appropriate media content for children, helping families make informed decisions about movies, TV, games, apps, and more.
