5 Ways to Control Your Child’s Smartphone or Tablet Addiction
More and more children are getting hooked to smartphones these days. But how much is too much? Your children may be addicted to a phone if it begins to affect other aspects of their life. If they are spending all of their time with their phone and seem withdrawn from the family, it is time you do something about it. Here are some ways to control your child’s smartphone or tablet addiction.
1. Sit and talk
Talk to your children if you feel that they are growing to be too dependent on the phone. Explain to them the dangers behind too much phone usage and do your best to persuade them to use less of it.
2. Set rules
If talking does not help, consider establishing some rules for cell phone usage. Be strict about enforcing the same. Keep limits on how many calls they can receive in a day and how long they can talk over the phone. You can have a set place to keep the phone so that it is not in their hands all the time. It would be good if you keep the phone with you at night so that they are not busy with it when they should be sleeping.
3. Have healthy alternatives
For most kids, mobile phones are just a diversion. They provide a way to relieve boredom or take their mind off the stresses. Weaning these devices away without providing an alternative is not going to work in the long run. Therefore, after restricting usage, make sure to make up for that time with another alternative. Sign them up for soccer practice or take them for a bike ride. Outdoor games is the best option.
