There is no question that modern technology has radically changed children’s lives.
Today, it is widely used in schools as a learning tool, while beyond the classroom, it’s often a means of communication, a source of information and a way to maintain social connections.
Given how integral technology has become in their lives, it is unreasonable to expect your children not to use it. However, that doesn’t mean they can or should spend their every waking hour scrolling or tapping away. It is ok to insert some boundaries!
But how do you go about doing that?
Here are some practical ideas you can embrace to improve your child’s relationship with technology.
Determine your child’s current relationship with technology
The first thing you’ll need to do is to determine how healthy your child’s relationship with technology currently is.
You shouldn’t be afraid to ask them, as often children will tell you honestly. But a good indicator is the degree to which they are exhibiting mental health or negative biological behaviours, such as poor body image, increased anxiety and a general lack of concentration or focus.
Other tell-tale signs might be reduced motivation levels, poor performance in school, and increasing procrastination.
All children have a different relationship with technology, so it’s worth taking the time to find out whether yours has a generally positive or negative one with it.
Steps to improve their relationship with technology
Regardless of how positive or negative their relationship with technology is, it can always improve. Here are some practical steps you can introduce to enhance it further.
1 – Do not vilify technology
As a parent, it is important to understand the many benefits technology brings to children and not simply dismiss it as ‘bad’ or a ‘waste of time’.
Technology, for instance, can boost students’ creativity, enhance their learning abilities, improve their hand-eye coordination, and stimulate their problem-solving skills. Contrary to what you might think, this is even true if it takes the form of playing games or reading memes on social media posts, which you might otherwise not see the value in doing.
Rebellion is a part of all children’s (and adults’) nature. So, if you tell them not to do something, their inclination will be to contravene your demands.
2 – Tell them there is a time and place
There is a time and place for everything. So, if you want your child’s relationship with technology to improve, it is worth onboarding them to this concept.
Some educational institutions are already doing this by insisting children put their devices in school phone lockers during lesson time.
You don’t have to go to implement this measure. However, there is no harm in insisting that devices should not be used during certain times at home. For instance, at the dinner table or at bedtime.
3 – Empower your children to adopt a less-is-more approach
One of the best ways to get children’s buy-in is to empower them to set their own guidelines through a less is more approach.
By letting them set their schedule of when they can use their devices, they are more likely to stick to the rules they create.
If you don’t trust them to do so, you could always use this app to remotely control how and when they can use their mobile phone or any other device.
4 – Block certain sites
There are some websites that are not appropriate for children and could lead to them having negative experiences with technology.
They include pornographic sites, chat rooms, online forums, dating websites, casino sites, and those which promote hate, hacking, or display violent or graphic images.
While you won’t be able to block them all, Find My Kids has an extensive list that you should set as off-limits to children, which will go a long way towards protecting them from the darker sides of technology.
5 – Lead by Example
You can’t expect your children to have a good relationship with technology if you don’t. So, it is important you show them what you mean by leading by example.
For instance, if you are all watching TV together or on a family outing, don’t dilute the experience by regularly checking your phone. Additionally, turn off your notifications so you are not distracted by them and can, therefore, give your child the undivided attention you are expecting from them.
6 – Have fun with technology together
Far from painting technology as an evil, a savvier thing to do is to have fun with your children through the use of it.
This can involve watching movie nights on Netflix, filming TikTok’s, taking part in online quizzes, playing brain games such as Words With Friends and video calls with other family members.
Essentially, be prepared to do anything that encourages positive interaction and conversation, both in person and remotely.
7 – Do lots of screen-free activities
Often, children spend time using technology if they are bored or have no one to play with. For this reason, you should try to arrange regular off-screen activities as a family, such as day trips, visits to the beach or park, trips to the shops, and playdates with their friends.
Ultimately, the more you can occupy their time with these activities, the less reliant they will be on technology for recreational purposes.