Tuesday 9 July 2019

Why I give Screen Time to my Kids


Technologies have evolved and surely the way we are living has changed too. Nobody can dent that each person has a cell phone now a days and few other gadgets for many other things. Every gadget has its pros and cons but people taking pros together from the technology can survive a balanced life without getting affected from it.

The impact of the digital world is surely unavoidable and each one of us is also a part of the same world but a little sensible and qualitative approach of our screen time is no harm at all.



Screen Time has also increased with these gadgets as they are all over our place. Kids are no far away from the gadgets and get well acquainted with these in little time. From Smart TV, smart watches, mobile phones, gaming devices, the screens of these devices is everywhere.

Screens cannot be avoided, so I try to give a balanced time to kids for the screen and I have few pointers to share with parents so that they can also have these methods to give screen time to kids.

 1.   What kind of Screen: Yes as we have gadgets all over right from alarm clock to books, from TV to phone, a parent needs to decide the medium of screen as the smaller the screen the more stressful it is for the eyes. For example, I prefer Television screen over tablet screen or a tablet screen over mobile phone screen. The bigger the better for me because firstly kids need not strain the eyes while watching and secondly I can easily monitor them on bigger screen.

2.   With whom to give Screen Time: It is really difficult to ask the kids every time the kind of videos they select to watch. As a parent one has to sit down with them and make sure that they see the videos or series of cartoon that are positive in nature and are teaching or showcasing good virtues of life. For example watching age appropriate DIY videos are better than any irrelevant videos.    

3.   How long Screen Time: Now this part is where most of the parents jostle with kids most of the times leaving them cranky. Kids never willingly give up a screen. So plan an activity after screen time that is more important and fun to do. After watching television kids can go to park to meet friends or a glass full of child favorite fruit drink or a simple block game can be picked.
This way the moment kids leave the screen they are not hyper instead are filled with excitement for the next task.

4.   When to give Screen Time: Well many toddlers mom give screen time to kids so that they can finish their tasks quickly and without any mess. I would say that is fair reason too but the prep time for the screen should be more fun. When your kid starts watching the screen make most of the time and finish your tasks in quick manner or I would say pipeline them so that when screen time is over still things are carried on. For elder kids give the screen time after they complete their tasks, such as school projects and hobby class. Screen time for them should come as a gift of completion of task.

We have discussed when to, how to, how long and with whom to factors of the screen time.  As a mother and working as freelancer, I also restrict my screen time so that as a family we all get to have more time to spend. When we say children observe parents and learn, this holds true, so set the right example by minimizing screen time when family is around. And let the notifications pile up for an hour, as each notification does not need your attention and set the notification tones of important contacts be different; so you know when to unlock your phone and when to lock it far away.

Let us all enjoy this digital world with less of fuss and more of an insightful usage.

@MeenalSonal


This post is a part of #SlimTurns4 Blog Birthday celebrations hosted by Slimexpectations and Thoughts by Geethica where we choose to write for the prompt Screen time – A boon or curse for moms.

48 comments:

  1. Screen time can be a boon, if managed wisely. It gets toxic if we do not, be vigilent. I mean, even adults need to limit the screen time.Thanks for taking part in the contest. :)

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    1. Being balanced is the key for kids and adults.

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  2. You are so right, we cannot avoid screen time in this digital age. Instead we must embrace it and encourage mindful usage of it, in our children.
    www.nooranandchawla.com

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    1. Absolutely Noor, using it mindfully is the right thing we all should practice

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  3. I so agree with you. Being a dad of two tiny tots, I let my children enjoy some screen time for games and YouTube. But I also monitor their time, so they don't get addicted to anything.
    www.rahulprabhakar.com

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  4. This is an eye opener about how we should not over use screen time. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Yes Kim overuse of screen time can be harmful.

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  5. Screen time is a tough choice. I too try to be smart and limit it to as little as possible.Good tips

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Amrita, limitation at right time should be done.

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  6. Even I have my kid screen time, finish my work and then I play with my kids ,turning off screen time

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  7. I agree, screen time for kids in a balanced fashion is ideal. It's good to factor in a lot of things you've mentioned.

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  8. With technology all around us its not possible to stop our kids from using it.But definitely it has to be used in limited manner.Overall health of kids is important.

    (Snehalata Jain)

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    1. Yes complete denial to access to screen will make kids more curious towards it.

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  9. I feel every thing in moderation is good and when it's used wisely it can be really helpful

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    1. Aptly Neha, moderation is vital in this scenario.

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  10. My aunt is confused about screen time for her lil one. This post must clear all her doubts! :)

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    Replies
    1. Happy that we are able to clear few of her doubts.

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  11. Excess of anything is bad and giving kids screen time is also really needed but we need to set up the timings for all!!

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    Replies
    1. Yup, timings is important for the screen time.

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  12. This is a much needed post. Screen time should not be provided to finish our work.it should be beneficial and minimal

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    1. Absolutely Sindhu, just to put kid in calm manner screen should not be used.

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  13. Screen time has become a buzz word for mommies in today's time. And, I feel everyone is right when it comes to their choice for their child. Great post!

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    Replies
    1. Parenting style differs from parent to parent and yes their choices too, screen time in any case should be minimal.

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  14. Correct, one cant completely ban the screen time. The need is to limit it and use it meaningfully.

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    Replies
    1. Complete ban will be too difficult, so these pointers shall help mommies.

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  15. Screens are unavoidable in the current environment. But we can surely limit them and use them productively.

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    Replies
    1. Correctly Pragnya, proper usage of screen time is what we all should aim for.

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  16. Giving screen time is not bad but it depends upon how much time you are giving and what the kid is watching.. awesome post..

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  17. How hard it try but cannot stop my kids from using gadgets like mobile.. It's just we can use them judiciously

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    1. We cannot stop usage Sapna as it is our necessity, so using it wisely is solution.

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  18. As long as we can balance their studies and other activities kids can be allowed screen time. I agree that monitoring and control are important.

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    1. Yes Varsha, moderating kids screen time is what we as parents should look for.

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  19. With so much influence of gadgets in our lives, totally avoiding screen time for kids is next to impossible.

    You have given a good insight on how to balance it.

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  20. Screen time should be given to kids but in moderation. There should be balance between everything

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    Replies
    1. Yes Amrit, balancing is what we discussed in this post.

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  21. Very useful & informative post.

    It is very important for the well being of children.

    http://shaandaarjenie.com

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  22. I maintain strict timing when it comes to mobile. Now my kid downloads games from app stores and try to play those as much as he can. Infact he forgets everything. Imagine just, he is not even 5yra still. And if I say No then he started throwing tantrums. So I have restricted his gadgets timing for 30 to 40 minutes a day. But he does painting and dance everyday. He actually loves doing this too.

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    1. Sayeri, you can keep the app stores in secured folder so that he does not download games on his own and make a point that he asks before playing each time.

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  23. You have hit the right stroke as a mother. I also prefer large screen and therefore share laptop with my 7 years old. And yes, it is a pain to make them leave the screen but now they know it is for a limited time only.
    Thanks for participating in the blog contest

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    Replies
    1. Had a great time participating in this contest Geethica and also winning it :)

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  24. Agreed. As long the screentime us given with balance there is no harm unfeeling.

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