Many mothers desperately wonder how to get rid of cell phone addiction in a child And they think it’s impossible. Well yes you can!
Now when the quarantine has forced millions of children to take classes remotely, many parents are concerned about the time they spend in front of screens, especially cell phones.
Although a smartphone can be the best educational tool for your little one, it can also be a distraction to keep them entertained while you telecommute, and that can be counterproductive.
According to Manuel Armayones, professor of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) and researcher at the eHealth Center, it depends on age:
-Children under the age of 2 should not routinely use screens.
-From 3 to 5 years, a maximum use of 30 minutes per day is recommended.
-From 6 to 12 years, one hour a day, at most.
-During adolescence (from 13 to 16 years old) maximum two hours a day.
Tips: how to get rid of a child’s cell phone addiction?
Professor Armayones, who is also the author of a book The smartphone effect: connecting with meaningadvises taking advantage of rest periods to disconnect from the screens and spend more time with the family, away from them.
1. Set an example
Advice on the proper use of these devices is useless if children see you doing the exact opposite of what you preach. Remember that there is no better teacher than the example, so do not see yourself obsessed with your cell phone.
2. Set clear rules
Explain to children why they can’t spend all day on the phone, when they can use it, how much time they can spend on it, and what they can and can’t do when they have it.
And most importantly, strictly comply with the rules that you yourself have set; children can easily adhere to the rules, but they are experts at detecting inconsistencies and violations of them.
3. How to get rid of cell phone addiction in a child? negotiateing!
As each child is different, the conditions of use of these devices may vary. Even if you have clear rules, you can negotiate the agreed time according to the circumstances, but it should always be discussed before applying the changes.
4. Offer alternatives
Children ask for the cell phone when they are bored, therefore, it is recommended to offer them an exchange, for example, fun activities at home or outdoors, going to the park, doing some crafts, playing with the family, reading together, practicing their favorite sport, etc.
5. You must supervise its use
The devices your children use should not have passwords or be used in private. There are various monitoring applications that you can use. Remember that your security is more important than your privacy.
Share these tips on your social networks, your family and friends will thank you, as it is very important for the safety and tranquility of the little ones in the house.