Various gadgets are common now used in everyday life.
Children, especially those who are growing up, can be negatively affected.
These methods can also be tried so that children avoid addiction to gadgets.
The increasing tendency of using gadgets in the
present age has raised its own concerns about the negative impact of excessive
use. Moreover, the potential is great for children.
In that connection, one of the tips to minimize the
potential for children addicted to gadgets is summarized by Bright Side. All of
them contain general principles regarding healthy interactions with digital
devices.
1.
Determine the maximum time to use the gadget
The time children interact with a digital device,
including TV watching activities, is said to depend on their age. Following are
recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Born - 18 months: absolutely no contact with gadget
screens, including TV. The only recommended exception is during a video call
session with close relatives such as beloved grandparents.
- 2-5 years: children in this age range are advised
not to spend more than 1 hour staring at the screen of gadgets, including
smartphones, TVs, tablets, and computers.
- Over 6 years: for children over the age, setting the
time to interact with digital devices is needed - specialists generally
recommend a maximum of 2 hours per day. Gadgets are also emphasized that they
should not take away the child's time from bedtime, physical activity, and
other activities needed for the child's growth and development.
2.
Don't just forbid, give advice
Parents are advised not to just forbid children from
using gadgets but only ask them to do other activities without giving further
choices. Depending on the age and interests of children, it would be better if
parents can also provide suggestions for other interesting activities that can
be done together such as sports, hiking, or fishing.
3.
Give an example
Children basically imitate parents. Well, before
banning your children from using gadgets, first remember what your interactions
with gadgets are. If you can never be far apart with gadgets, it is certainly
difficult to prevent children addicted to the same thing.
4.
Pay attention to content
It was stated that until children are 9 years old,
their access to the internet must still be fully controlled by parents. It
would be better to prioritize educational programs and sites that can help the
growth of a variety of children's skills. Related to that, of course as much as
possible children should not be left just like using gadgets to access content,
such as games, nuanced violence.
5.
Determine the location / time free internet and gadgets
It's good for parents to also make restrictions
related to the use of gadgets. Such as should not be used in a room that is a
place of rest or there are no gadgets on the dining table when eating with
family. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends avoiding digital
devices one hour before bedtime.
6.
Give assistance
Gadgets basically have a lot of positives. As a
parent, one of the roles that you can do is not to get bored giving assistance
about the digital world which can also be a place to explore knowledge.
Simultaneously, you can also give advice that excessive use of gadgets is not
good either.
7.
Wise bermedsos
Children are not advised to use social media (social
media) or other social networks until they are 12 years old. At that point, the
role of parents is also very necessary in instilling principles in communicating
on the internet.
In addition, parents are also advised not to be
friends with their children on social networks let alone comment on their posts
and photos. That was done in order to introduce privacy, and give trust, to
children.
8.
Provide information about the risks and dangers of the internet
Children also need to be equipped with the risks and
dangers that threaten the internet, especially when they grow up so that they
no longer need parental supervision when using gadet. Before that, parents are
advised to start giving explanations on how to deal with cyberbullying, the
dangers of opening access to personal information, negative content, and things
downloaded.
Children need to be equipped with information about
the existence of digital traces so that they cannot be carelessly active in
cyberspace. Conversely, children also need to know that everything found on the
internet must be addressed carefully and wisely, related to the rise of hoaxes
and the like. Finally, don't ever get bored emphasizing to your child that he
can confide in you anything as a parent, specifically related to things on the
internet and the digital world.
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