5 guidelines for digital parenting when using technology in schools

The difficulty of controlling screen time becomes a major worry for parents as the school year goes on and kids get back into their academic routines. Screen time can easily go out of control due to the proliferation of digital learning resources and the ubiquitous nature of tablets, cell phones, and televisions.

As parents, we must be watchful over our children's digital habits in order to protect their health and general development.

The fact that many technologies are so widely used in contemporary Indian homes is evidence of their unmistakable appeal. At least one mobile media device is present in the home of almost every Indian youngster, and many of them have a tablet or smartphone.

As a result, there is a rise in pointless watching, social media exposure, and doom-scrolling.

The Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

Several studies have shown a clear connection between childhood obesity and excessive screen time. This association can be explained by the sedentary nature of screen-watching and the propensity

Furthermore, an increasing body of research indicates that a child's cognitive development, attention span, and even language deficits in the youngest populations may be adversely affected by an excessive amount of screen usage.

There is a worrying correlation between excessive screen use in adolescence and antisocial behavior in early adulthood, according to a study.

Thankfully, there are evidence-based guidelines accessible to assist parents in making well-informed decisions regarding the health and well-being of their families.

Suggested Screen Time Limitations

Experts advise against allowing any screen time at all for young infants under two. For children ages two to four, screen use should be restricted to no more than one hour each day. For kids between the ages of five and seventeen, recreational screen use ought to be limited to no more than two hours every day.

Do not be alarmed if these goals seem impossible and you start to doubt your ability to stay mentally strong! Parents can use a number of techniques to find a healthy balance:

Establish Screen Time Limits

It might be quite beneficial to set up a family media plan that includes precise screen time limitations for every child. You may better control your children's expectations and help them grasp the rules by establishing boundaries that are unambiguous.

According to research, children's total screen time is greatly decreased when parents set and regularly enforce screen time limitations. For the screen time regulations to be effectively implemented, though, children and teenagers must be taught consistently over a long period of time.

Keep Screens Off During Meals

Mealtime is a priceless time to spend with your kids, catch up on their days, and tell stories while enjoying delectable food. During these times, switching off from digital devices can be very helpful.

Improving dietary patterns is an additional benefit of giving up electronics when dining. According to research, kids who use screens during mealtimes tend to eat more sugar-sweetened beverages and snack items instead of fruits and vegetables, which are healthy eating options.

 Even parents may set a good example and show that they are committed to having meaningful talks with their family by taking away their mobile media gadgets from the dinner table.

Switch Off to Pay Attention

The amount of time parents spend with their children using screens is directly related to how much time they spend using screens themselves. Promoting healthy behavior in your children is greatly enhanced by abstaining from screen time. By prioritizing face-to-face contact through discussion and physical play, this modeling will help decrease the amount of time that kids and teenagers spend on screens and promote deeper and more meaningful connections.

Don't Use Screens to Regulate Behavior

Because screen time has an immediate effect on behavior, it may be tempting to use it to regulate a child's behavior; nevertheless, over time, this method may inadvertently result in increasing screen use.

When screen time is rewarded for good behavior or taken away for bad behavior, for example, it can lead to youngsters placing an unrealistic value on screen time, which in turn makes them want more.

Bedrooms are places where bodies recharge

Make it a habit to avoid using charging stations or mobile gadgets in the bedrooms. For healthy growth and development as well as to refuel for the next day, teenagers need to sleep for eight to ten hours per night.

Teenagers who use cell phones and other electronics in the bedroom frequently miss sleep. The shorter sleep duration makes it harder for them to control their irrational behavior. Removing electronics from bedrooms can greatly enhance children's and teenagers' general health and quality of sleep.

Maintaining a healthy balance between digital and offline activities is essential to providing our kids with a well-rounded childhood. We can help our children make the most of their school year and holiday breaks by putting these easy-to-implement yet powerful methods into practice. This will help them create priceless experiences that they will love for a lifetime.