When it comes to parenting, the issue of kids and smartphones is a seemingly never-ending battle.
And while excessive smartphone use is a major challenge for kids to overcome…
The biggest issue children have today is how much their parents are stuck to their devices.
And this divide is becoming a bigger obstacle for families to topple.
How can parents help curb the cellphone use of their kids…
And themselves?
Kids Want Smartphone Fairness
It’s no secret that younger generations are greatly affected by smartphone use.
More and more often experts are sounding the alarm on the dangers of unrestricted smartphone use, especially for kids.
The World Health Organization recently outlined new regulations for parents that say no screen time for kids under two years old…
And Instagram is taking steps to make teens spend less time on the app.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO BEING AT HOME, PARENTS HAVE A HARD TIME COMMUNICATING HEALTHY PHONE HABITS.
And for kids, the experience goes beyond smartphones. More children are speaking up and realizing that parents are quick to criticize phone use…
Without realizing that the adults are making the same mistakes.
When kids see parents not following their own rules surrounding devices, they feel less connected, and let’s be honest…
No one likes a hypocrite.
But it goes further than hypocrisy…
TO PUT IT SIMPLY, CHILDREN WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS.
And when they see that the adults have their attention on their phones instead…
Kids feel rejected and go back into their technological bubble.
It’s not just about the impact of bad smartphone habits… The issue is about kids not feeling heard and families not connecting.
It definitely doesn’t help that kids also notice that when it comes to household smartphone rules…
Parents introduce rules they don’t intend to follow.
So when it comes to combatting the problem, parents need to address their own phone use as well as their children’s.
AFTER ALL, IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MODEL GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
If they can’t do that with phones, then any other attempts at correcting smartphone use in kids fall flat.
Here’s how families can get their phone use whipped into shape.
Create Solutions Together
To start to make positive changes in the smartphone habits of your kids…
YOU NEED ACTUALLY TO LISTEN TO THEM AND INCLUDE THEM IN CONVERSATIONS FIRST.
As kids get older and more independent, including them in important family conversations becomes essential…
Especially when it comes to regulating their phone use.
So having a sit-down conversation where you talk about your boundaries as parents and solutions that everyone can contribute to…
HELPS FOSTER CONNECTION AND EVENS OUT THE PLAYING FIELD.
The best part? You don’t have to do this alone. When asking your kids about how to correct household smartphone use puts you on the same team.
Here you can ask questions that will create reasonable expectations for kids’ smartphone use. Here are some examples:
- What times at home should be phone-free? Meal times and bedtime are popular choices.
- What systems could we use to minimize phone use? Could a storage basket or central charging station work?
- How can we team up to stay off of our phones together?
Don’t be afraid to have some conflict, this is a conversation, and at the end of the day…
LETTING YOUR KIDS DO WHATEVER THEY WANT ISN’T GOOD FOR THEM… OR YOU.
Ideally, at this point, you might’ve come up with some new strategies on how to manage parents’ and kids smartphone use. Here comes the fun part…
Now you get to decide how you want to spend time with your kids now that you’re not on your phone as much.
Family Time
It goes without saying that quality time with your kids is one of the most important things you can do as a parent…
Even billionaires go out of their way to do it.
So find something that would work for you and your family. Maybe it’s game night or going out for ice cream.
Whatever it is, remember to stay off your smartphone (you and the kids) and to listen to understand your kids…
Not just to talk.
Ultimately, it’s impossible to remove kids from smartphones completely…
But as parents, we can still model good behavior and connect our family units.
It might be challenging at first, but remember…
You and your kids can’t reach your potential by staying where you are.
Be Great,
GCTV Staff
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