The habits we develop as children often stay with us for life. That’s why fostering good habits in our kids is a crucial part of parenting. To ensure that screen time doesn’t interfere with essential aspects of a child’s development—such as sleep, social interactions, and physical activity—we need to establish healthy routines around digital device usage.
Adequate sleep, meaningful social interactions with family and friends, and daily physical activity are vital for a child’s growth. By setting clear boundaries and promoting mindful technology use, we can help our children balance screen time with other important activities. Here are some practical steps to build healthy screen habits:
Guidelines for Healthy Screen Time Habits
- Turn off push notifications and sounds on your child’s devices. These are designed to capture attention and increase usage.
- Enable parental controls based on your child’s age. This can include time restrictions on apps and devices.
- Keep bedrooms device-free, at least during the night.
- Make mealtimes screen-free. Shared meals provide a great opportunity for family bonding and conversation.
- Set clear expectations. For example, require children to finish their chores and homework before using digital devices.
- Encourage physical activity. Ensure kids have plenty of opportunities for movement and play.
- Promote social interaction with family and friends outside of screens.
- Teach mindful consumption of digital content. Help your child understand that not all online information is reliable. Encourage critical thinking and the habit of verifying sources. Spend time exploring trustworthy content together.
Additional Tips:
- Use a traditional alarm clock instead of a mobile phone for waking up.
- Model good screen habits. Children learn by observing their parents’ behaviors.
- Have open discussions about screen time limitations and the consequences of misuse.
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