Because we live in a world of technology, our children are taught to use computers at a very early age. This has been deemed a good thing because the world as we know it now would cease to operate on many levels if it was taken away. But it becomes a huge problem when addiction sets in.
Spending too much time in front of a screen has been linked to a lack of sleep, speech delays, and poor social skills. But research out of the University of Michigan has found that the bigger issue “is whether screen use causes problems in other areas of life or has become an all-consuming activity,” says the study’s lead author Sarah Domoff, assistant professor of psychology at Central Michigan University. When this happens, it’s considered screen addiction.
Signs that show that your kids have a screen addiction:
Researchers developed a tool to measure screen addiction among kids ages: 4 to 11. Classic signs of addiction include things like an inability to stop using the substance or when the use of that substance begins to interfere with your life and relationships. When it comes to kids and screens, the symptoms aren’t all that different.
Here are the red flags to watch for that suggest your kid might have a screen addiction.
1. Your child can’t control their screen use
The researchers call this “unsuccessful control,” when kids have trouble stopping using devices. If you’ve tried to impose limits on screen time, but your kiddo just couldn’t deal, this could be an issue.
2. Loss of interest in other activities
If “tablet time” is the only thing that motivates your child (books, toys, and sports don’t get them nearly as excited), they might be too invested in screen use.
3. It preoccupies their thoughts
If even when your kid isn’t playing video games, he’s talking about Minecraft, wondering what his favorite YouTuber will post next, or be acting out scenes from Angry Birds, this could be a sign of addiction.
4. It interferes with socializing
Is your child bringing a phone to the dinner table? Sneaking peeks at his tablet while his grandmother tries to make conversation? When screens interfere with family activities, they could be problematic.
5. Screen use causes serious family problems
Have you had any blowout arguments incited by screen use? Or behaviors problems related to something they’re watching? This could be a sign of an unhealthy relationship with screens.
6. Your kid shows signs of withdrawal
When it’s time to turn off the TV for bedtime or put mobile devices away for a screen-free family time and your kid gets frustrated, they may actually be experiencing withdrawal.
7. Their tolerance is increasing
If your child used to watch 30 minutes of YouTube after school each day but now she’s even watching it on a phone on the way home from school, her tolerance is on the rise.
8. They’re deceptive about it
If your kiddo is sneaking a tablet into bed at night or lying about how long they’ve been playing a video game, this is a red flag.
9. A screen is their mood booster
If your child comes home after a bad day at school and needs a TV show or game to make him feel better or offer an escape, researchers say it could be a sign of screen addiction.
During the research, it wasn’t specified how many of these warning signs your kid has to exhibit to have an addiction. But if your kid checks off more than a few of these boxes, then it might be time for you to do something.
What do you do? Well, read on to find out some of the ways to deal with your kids’ screen addiction.
1. Set a time limit
There need to be clear boundaries set on the amount of time spent a day on the computer, it could be an hour during the weekdays, more on the weekends but never any more than an hour at a time.
2. Equal time for playing outdoors
At least an hour have to be spent outside, riding bikes, skating, and playing with friends. We felt it was very important to get exercise and to socialize.
3. Homework takes priority
All homework had to be done before getting on the computer to play. Naturally, if they needed to use the computer for school work that was taken into consideration.
4. Family time takes precedence
Having family time should always be of great importance. When it is dinner time, or any other time that you’re having family time this comes first, not “when I get done on the computer mom!”
5. Open door policy
Always have your children keep their doors open and interact with them during computer time. Check the games their playing or what they are looking up. Let them know you are interested and are paying attention. When possible, especially with younger children, sit with them, watch and interact.
Conclusion
Technology has made quite an impact on our society. It has made many things easier, some things harder. Things like getting children to socialize, going outside to play, getting exercise, and spending time with family. You need to be wise as a parent and not let technology take first place in your children’s day to day lives or your own. You have to be careful not to get disconnected from what the priorities are. It’s so easy in the hurried world we live in to miss things and let things go that are important.
The time we have to train our little ones and bond with them is limited. The computer, the cell phones, iPods and any other techno gadgets cannot take the place of Mum and Dad. Your children need one on one time with you, structure, a sense of priorities and responsibility. Technology cannot take the place of family. This is a huge problem in our society today; the easier technology makes things the more it takes away from what we had in years gone by.
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