Children and gadgets: how to find a compromise? Doctor Lyudmila Artyushkevich told
Children often repeat the habits they observe in their parents.
If parents use their phones every free minute, then the child will most likely do the same. If adults ask the child to do creative work or play with a construction set, but they themselves watch TV, the child will probably simply move his game to the phone.
It is not recommended to take the gadget away from the child when he is in the process of completing a game level.
Doctor of the HappyDerm medical center Lyudmila Artyushkevich recommends waiting until he finishes the level and then offering an alternative activity, such as going for a walk or doing handicrafts.
It is important to negotiate with children in advance. It is better to discuss the rules of use before the child has access to the tablet or phone.
For small children, it is recommended to install a program that automatically turns off the device after a certain time. In this way, parents avoid situations where the child shows aggression due to the phone being turned off, since it turns off automatically.
Here are some basic tips for parents:
- the later you give your child access to gadgets, the better;
- control the time he spends on devices;
- Agree on time limits in advance and explain how much time he can spend with the gadget;
- Be sure to provide for other hobbies.
Following these strategies will help you effectively combat addiction and reduce aggression.
How to ensure safe use of technology for children
Doctors, psychologists and teachers agree that children can safely spend time with electronic devices, provided that certain rules are followed. Here are some of them.
- Children under 2 years of age should not use gadgets at all.
- At the age of 3 to 4 years, play time with gadgets should not exceed half an hour a day.
- Between the ages of 5 and 6, a child can spend up to 1 hour a day using devices.
- Children aged 7 to 9 are allowed to use a computer or smartphone for 1.5 hours per day.
- For children aged 10 to 13, safe time to use a computer or mobile device is up to 2 hours per day.
- From 14 to 16 years old, the use of gadgets is allowed for up to 3 hours a day.
For preschoolers, it is recommended to show educational videos and cartoons, as well as play logic games that help develop attention and memory.
It is advisable for parents to watch the content with their children and discuss it. For younger students, games designed for their age group are suitable.
Children of middle school age should be supervised to ensure that they do not visit inappropriate sites, play too aggressive games, or spend too much time on the Internet. Parental control and monitoring functions can be used for this purpose.
