Is your elementary-aged child constantly fiddling with your phone? Was your adolescent son up until 3 a.m. last night with his friends playing video games? Most children will abuse technology if clear boundaries are not established, and they are left to manage it independently. Given the extent to which our culture bombards our children with media, our responsibility as parents is to guide them through the onslaught of distractions expertly. Despite our efforts to persuade ourselves that their children’s media is educational, social, and beneficial in the short term, parents instinctively recognize that their children are spending too much time in front of screens. It is never too late to learn more about the ever-changing world of childhood screens and to break bad habits that have developed. Even teenagers can benefit from limiting screen time. Still, they will need the help of caring parents who will set boundaries, start a new hobby, and demonstrate to them that family attachment is more important than screen attachment. Instead of being agitated or simply submitting to the insanity, we should concentrate on accomplishing something positive.
Here are five reasons why your kids should go screen-free:
It allows their minds to relax.
You are correct if you believe that your child’s gaming has a drug-like effect on them. Adrenaline and dopamine are released into the brain when you use a screen. These chemicals have a significant impact on the developing brain of children.
It can help your family reset priorities and reconnect with one another.
Face-to-face interactions in real life are far more critical than screen games and social media platforms. Your youngster will be ready to refocus their lives after taking a week off. Our children must maintain strong bonds with us. According to scientific studies, family relationships and attachments are the most crucial determinants of success.
It provides children with the opportunity to pursue other hobbies in their leisure time.
When our children sit down to play a brief game, they sometimes wind up wasting four hours before we understand what has happened to them. Despite this, the danger is often in what they are not doing on the game: daydreaming, thinking, learning new skills, moving around, experiencing nature, or even reading an actual book on your lap. Contemplate what else your youngster could accomplish if given a week off from using a computer or watching television.
It aids in the rediscovery of the pleasures of accurate play by children.
The criteria for real-world participation are not met by screen entertainment. Dr. Stuart Brown, a physician and researcher who founded the National Institute for Play and wrote the book Play defines play as a significant biological brain function that occurs in real three-dimensional life rather than virtual reality. Real play needs direct engagement with the natural world and physical activity and imagination, all of which are lacking in screenplays and television shows. If your child is exposed to screen-based entertainment, they may become anxious and inattentive. Tossing a ball, building a clay model, or digging in the dirt will never provide the same cognitive benefits as throwing a ball, making a clay model, or digging in the ground.
It is a sobering wake-up call.
A week away from video games and screens will allow us to re-evaluate potential addiction issues in our families and re-establish our boundaries and ground rules. The beginning of Screen-Free Week is an excellent time to get started!
Take a risk!
When a youngster is growing up, they should have the opportunities to explore certain moments of carefree living. The ability to make that happen is a struggle that all parents must face, but it is critical for all of our children’s well-being. Families Managing Media is here to help you find that balance, reduce the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen, and bring calm back into your home.