Do we manage our time well? It doesn’t matter how precise we plan our day and all the targets to achieve, we often can’t realize our goals. Choosing between priorities is the hardest thing to do.
Technology provides help in every aspect of our lives. To free up some time, we allow children to spend time on tech devices, and that is how parents get one more problem to solve, over-usage of tech.
Modern Habits
Sometimes even when we work out, we gain weight because we eat unhealthy food, and always grab some snacks on the way home. Our kids have the same habit.
Aware of the situation, we do a body detox and free our body from fat and sugar. Sometimes we also need a mental detox to release our negative thoughts.
Overusing tech can cause fatigue and addiction in your children. So in the following paragraphs, we’ll go over the importance of digital detox for kids.
What is a Digital Detox?
Digital detox means to be free, released, and relieved from tech devices. It’s time to shut down smartphones, TVs, computers, and tablets. Digital detox acts as a mindset to limit time spent on tech devices.
Adults can control their time screen-time, but kids often can’t. That is why we should introduce technology detox in our kids’ daily activities.
Importance of Digital Detox for Kids
Digital detox is a much-needed habit in children’s life because they get addicted to technology, which leads to several other problems like gaining weight, behavioral disorders, and other complications.
When our kids accept digital detox as a daily routine, they will see the benefits of a tech-free life. The positive effects of digital detox include:
- Children’s creativity will increase;
- Learning will be more productive;
- Outdoor activities will increase;
- Children will be happy to meet friends and play together;
- Children will feel relieved from smartphone usage;
How Digital Detox Works
Digital detox is part of today’s modern way of solving problems. It is an easy concept to accept, works psychologically, and everyone can practice it.
Digital detox presents a habit that teaches parents and kids they can leave their screens and spend quality time without digital devices. It is a method that educates everyone to value off-screen time.
The Effects of Screen Time on Kids
Technology can improve our kids’ life when they use it productively. To live isolated in front of their screens isn’t a productive way to use digital devices. Tech over-usage negatively impacts our kids’ health and everyday activities, and we’ll go over the negative effects in the following paragraphs.
Health Problems
Physical body changes, posture problems, hearing problems, eye vision problems, gaining weight, lack of coordination, and worsened fitness are all problems that children face when they overuse tech.
These problems are direct results of tech addiction. Studies show that younger children spend five and half hours on tech, while teenagers about eight hours every day!
Mental and Emotional Problems
Behavioral changes, lack of confidence, concentration, focus, stress, fear, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and many more are consequences of our kids’ spending too much time on tech devices.
Impact on Social Skills and Relationships
When our kids use tech over time, they damage their social, learning, and problem-solving skills and tend to communicate only virtually.
How does Digital Detox Benefit Children
When our kids finally shut their screens down, they will become happy little people. We’ll quickly look at the detailed benefits of digital detoxing.
Getting Enough Sleep
Sleeping increases our kids’ motivation and good behavior. Reading and telling bedtime stories is a way to reduce screen time before bed. According to Nemours KidsHealth school-age children need at least 9, and teens at least 8 hours of sleep.
Increasing Creative Skills
Limiting screens increases productive activities like drawing, making crafts, using cubes for building, and even building, for example, a tree house for birds.
Increased Social Skills and Relationships
Once our kids get used to limited screen usage, they will be more responsible at school, learn and educate themselves, and go out with friends more. Also, increased outdoor activities will make our kids feel happy and refreshed.
Family Bonding as Entertainment
Make your children realize that leaving your TV off is not a bad idea. You can make your shows, singing contests, and theatre plays, which include creativity and fun. Play At Home provides families with plays they can try out when they’re bored at home! Replacing smartphones with puzzles, toys, and family games can also improve our family goals and bonds.
Digital Detox as an Online Program
Did you know there’s a site that tells you what to do when you’re bored? That’s great, right? You’ve probably also had the feeling that the Internet offers programs for absolutely anything. Well, there is also a program that helps with digital detoxing called Digital Detox. With Digital Detox you can learn how to respect and spend quality time off your screens.
Conclusion
Digital detoxing reminds me of my childhood, free from screens and full of happiness. Transfer that energy to your children and educate them about the benefits of a tech-free life. After all, life is beautiful outside.
Don’t waste your time and go out with your children!
FAQ
How can I determine if my child needs a digital detox?
If your child’s behavior changes (tantrums, depression, anxiety) when you try to take away devices it is time for a digital detox.
What are some alternative activities that children can engage in during a digital detox?
Being free from tech devices contributes to our kids developing their imagination, being themselves, getting creative (drawing, singing, playing an instrument), focusing on the future, going out, playing family games, studying, etc.
How can I monitor and track my child’s screen time and digital habits?
By using Parental Control (accessible in your devices’ Settings) we can control our kids’ screen-time, by following activity reports, time usage, and having the option to restrict children’s time spent on screens.
How long should a digital detox for kids last, and how frequently should they be done?
Digital Detox should become a habit that lasts a lifetime. It’s always a great time to start when you see that your child uses their phone too much.
How can I balance my child’s need for technology use with the potential risks of overuse?
We don’t want our kids to get addicted to tech usage, therefore we need to talk our children into accepting tech usage mainly for learning or other productive activities. But, you can also let them use tech to relax, only when you set time limits and strict rules.
ALSO READ: How to Become a Positive Digital Parent
