A child sitting at a table and playing on a tablet

How To Manage Your Child’s Screen Time

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With how digital the world has become, it is common to see both adults and children spending a lot of time on screens. They have become a simple way for children to stay occupied for long periods of time whilst parents get domestic activities completed. However, it is important to limit the amount of time children spend on screens. It isn’t something that is easily done, but it is not impossible to do. Here is some advice from an Independent School in London on how to manage your child screen time.

Practice What You Preach

Model the right behaviour for your child. Before you decide to sit and binge watch a whole Netflix series, remember that there is a child watching you who you are setting an example for. Your child will pick up on small things such as keeping the TV on in the background for noise or spending spare minutes scrolling through your phone. If this is a habit that you would like your child not to pick up, then ensure you model the right screen related behaviour in front of your children.

A mother pushing a pram on a path in a park lined with trees. She is looking down at the phone.

Stay Up To Date

Keep up to date on technology itself. Most children nowadays are extremely savvy when it comes to technology so it is important that parents are also on the same wavelength. An example is social media. Along with the benefits it provides it also comes with its own dangers. You can’t teach your child about the risks unless you understand them yourself. Educating yourself is a great way to ensure that you are able to provide your children with the right information when it comes to preventing them from consuming certain types of media.

Set Boundaries

Set aside times where your children have no screen time. Some parents choose not to allow their children to watch TV during the weekday and only as a treat at the weekend whereas some ensure that only bedtime is completely screen free. Remember to make this a household rule as it will implement it better.

Explore Other Activities

Encourage them to take part in other activities. Screens are usually used when your child has nothing better to do so providing them with ideas for activities that can be done off screen will be beneficial too.

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2 boys sitting on the floor watching TV
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