I often get a feeling that I’m losing track of time, that I’m chasing time and everything is moving at full speed.
Thanks to fast technology development, we can more productively finish our work.
It is easier and faster today to learn, work, pay bills, make investments, and do all other life activities.
Besides all the help that we get from tech devices, again it seems like we still don’t have time.
So since nowadays time and tech are tied up together, let’s see how we can improve our and our children’s relationship with tech!
Dreams Do Come True but Not in The Desired Form
As a kid, I grew up with no tech devices. I didn’t even have a cellphone.
My daily activities were pretty simple. Learning, playing in the yard, riding my bicycle, visiting friends, and eating delicious cookies that my granny made (suddenly I feel hungry and I sincerely apologize if I made you too).
But I did dream of having a phone and a computer. All I knew about tech back then was from one book I read. It was an unknown world to me.
Then when Internet cafes appeared, I started going there and exploring the tech I dreamed about.
It was a very strange feeling. Suddenly I got myself in the middle of the technology revolution, where everything got easier. I got to finish my chores in no time and even had time to chat with friends.
So, as a parent I wasn’t aware of the negative side of tech devices, I only thought of the positive impacts that technology brought to our lives.
The reason I thought that way is because my generation witnessed a time when the tech didn’t have negative sides.
From the start, we provide our kids with smartphones. They stumble and thrive in the digital world. How does this sounds?
In the beginning, it’s amazing to see your toddler use the keyboard better than you.
Your baby might not even know how to speak, but it knows how to turn on YouTube. And we parents are proud.
Day by day kids develop into tech prisoners, using their devices everywhere and all the time.
And we ask questions like how can I prevent my teen from using the phone so much? How can I encourage my toddler to play with toys instead of tablets?
In the past, I dreamt about having a smartphone, but now I have multiple problems. I realized that the health risks of phones and other devices are major, but often forgotten or ignored.
I know it is not easy, but as parents, we must try to be reasonable and responsible. We must take a stance for awareness about the dangers of tech.
Teach Qualities and Danger
It’s crucial to combine those two worlds, to accept the importance of the tech, but also the consequences of using it too much.
It is easier and at the same time takes a lot of effort to explain this to teenagers. They usually accept what is right for them.
They think that tech helps them learn fast, provide information, work, save time and money, and have 0 side effects.
But we should try introducing them to the actual side effects of tech, but calmly and politely.
They must know that you’re not forbidding tech, but rather just stating the facts and giving your teenager a choice.
With the little ones, it’s always harder because they can’t understand our methods and get a feeling that they are being punished.
But punishing our children without them breaking rules isn’t our goal. Instead, we can get creative and try explaining tech risks to them playfully and childishly.
The Value of Saving Time
It is always a great feeling when you make a plan, go through with it and finish your job on time.
Do this on a daily routine and transfer the habit to your younger ones, motivating them to plan their study, play, and tech time.
Instead of using words like “forbidden” and “punishment”, you should be focused on acting out the day’s plan.
So to conclude, teaching your children to make a habit out of valuing and planning time is the way to go when you want to establish healthy tech relationships in your household.
Babies and Tech
How long can any of us avoid tech devices for our children? I don’t know. It depends on the child, right?
Of course, it doesn’t. Parents decide when to introduce little children to tech.
Some of us don’t even let our children watch TV until they’re 5 or 6, maybe even older.
Some of us think of tech devices as toys, so we give them to our children in exchange for some freedom.
The answer is somewhere in the middle. We can introduce our children to tech at any age, but it’s also crucial to educate them about the risks along the way.
I would say that starting your kids at about half an hour of tech at the age of 3 or 4 is fine.
But I’ll say it again (I hope I didn’t bore you), never forget to let them know and respect the limits!
Proper Free Time
When all the planned activities are done, and your kids don’t know what to do, they are usually bored and play games on their phones.
Those are moments when you need to get creative and invent fun, non-techy ways for them to spend their time.
Make them feel productive by doing their favorite activities excluding tech. Play board games, introduce them to books, walks, music, and many more tech-free time-grabbers.
To conclude, living in a world where tech fills out our time gives parents a tough job in teaching children the healthy habits of tech.
The best way to do that is by setting yourself as an example. It’s a child’s instinct to follow you and mimic your behavior.
So, put down the phone, take your kids to the park, play some hide & seek, tell stories, and jokes, and start living a less tech-addicted life.
ALSO READ: How to Address and Prevent Addiction to Technology in Children
