The world we live in is a digital world of technology and we can’t do anything to stop the massive growth of tech.
So it’s normal that people started to get addicted to tech since it fills every second of our day, week, month, year, etc.
In this article, we will get to know the risks and ways of preventing tech addictions in our children’s lives. Let’s start!
What’s an Addiction?
I’m not going to use strict definitions or medical terms, so from my point of view “addiction” is something, someone, without which we can’t imagine our life.
People tend to develop addictions to a lot of things. Examples are alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, cute puppies, hugs, and of course, tech.
So that means a tech addiction is the frequent usage of different tech devices, from TVs, computers, phones, and other portable and non-portable devices.
Our Childhood VS Modern Childhood
Every period of life has its meaning. Childhood is the most crucial period because the things we remember the most are our childish moments.
As a kid, I always admired my parents and grandparents.
My mother was capable of doing a lot of things without Google’s help, my father was working hard without complaints, and my grandfather and grandmother were always happy and told us stories.
But today’s children crave phones and computers instead of campfire stories and family songs.
Seeing other children with gadgets makes them want to have the same devices as well.
So as parents we pay the price of our love and turn our kids into cyber addicts. Yes, we did that to our kids, but we also did buy our freedom because now children depend on YouTube and not on us for a lot of things.
Imagine this, an 11-month-old baby seating in a baby chair in front of the TV and his mother trying to feed him, holding the plate in one hand and her phone in the other. It’s a real picture that happens and is going to happen.
That baby is going to grow up and become a cyber addict. Eating with tech, learning, sleeping, going to school, playing, bathing and even swimming!
Sometimes when we politely ask our kid to put the phone down and eat, but we have very nervous feedback, and a tantrum comes our way.
So who do we go to for help? Of course, everyone’s local doctor, engineer, teacher, personal assistant, and much more, the one and only Mr. Google (and hopefully this article).
We need all sorts of help to fight this modern disease of tech addiction that we all suffer from, even our little children.
But when you think of it, you can’t just blame tech development and time for the surfacing of this disease. We, parents, are also one of the main reasons our children use tech so much.
The easiest way to calm your toddler down is by giving them your phone to watch those weird YouTube videos, apparently made for kids.
This is the kind of problem that can’t be solved, only divided into smaller problems. That’s the only way you can fix a major problem like this one.
I always remember my mother’s and grandmother’s calmness and bright thinking. No Google, just observing, analyzing, making conclusions, and acting in the best way possible.
So, it’s our time to observe, analyze, make the right decision, and most importantly act as best as we can.
But be careful and thoughtful! Don’t go all Commando on your kids right after reading this article, taking their phones forcefully.
Instead, read this article to the end, and together we will find out the best ways to deal with our children’s addiction.
Communication
Communication is the first key to the castle of parenting. Establishing a healthy and positive relationship with your children is crucial.
Calmly and politely present all the negative aspects of overtime usage of tech devices. Don’t forget to combine the positive effects though.
For example, playing games together, telling jokes, laughing, or just plain and normal catching up is great for growing family bonds and developing character.
Draw together, sing, dance, and motivate your kids to learn some kind of instrument (it’s great for focusing and concentration).
Setting up Devices
Every place in the house is a better spot for your consoles and computer than your children’s rooms (even the bathroom is a better place to play some Xbox).
Instead, try to motivate your kids to make their room a creative space. Let them paint the walls, hang pictures, make sculptures, etc.
It’s a great way of encouraging your kids to understand that they don’t need tech to have a good time.
Table Manners
Admit it or not, most children use their phones while eating. That’s both unethical and unhealthy at the same time.
Instead, open up interesting debates, talk about the food, or about anything that is happening in your children’s lives.
Some of the best conversations have happened at the dinner table in my family, so I advise you to introduce your children to healthy table manners as well!
Be There for Your Children
I left the most important thing for last. Your presence is the only way to truly guide your children to a less techy world.
Don’t push your children to immediately shut off their screens. Instead, be patient and a little bit strategic in your approach to tech addictions.
It’s a classic trade deal. You trade your freedom and in exchange, you get a tech-free kid. But hey, our children are the best things in our lives, so we should do anything for them.
It is always about the attention they get. If they are fulfilled with you and your presence they will use less tech and instead start seeing the beauties of the world and nature, just like you did in your childhood.
That is the point, that is the cure, we can get there! We are parents and we must succeed. Our children will always depend on us and we must be there for them.
Every day is a battle, and as parents, we should lead our kids (of course with our example) to a less tech-filled life.
Observe, analyze, and act (but playfully and childishly, of course)!
ALSO READ: How To Use Technology To Help Children With Special Needs
