It is alarming how kids today are growing more attached to gadgets. As their attention is glued to smartphones and tablets and their activity is limited to dependency on technology, their physical, mental and emotional developments are at risk.
With this in mind, it's a must for parents to take action and establish house rules for using gadgets at home. After all, even one of the front-runners of gadget development, Apple's Steve Jobs, limited his kids' use of technology in the house, as stated in New York Times.
So, how do parents take charge? Here are some rules you can establish with your kids:
1. No gadgets while having meals. Eating should be a time to actually talk and engage with the other family members.
2. No gadgets inside the bathroom. Some kids use their iPhones or iPad even when they're in the toilet or are about to take bath. They should be able to put their gadgets down for daily routines like these.
3. Weekdays are off limits to the TV and iPad. Since the kids have school and after-school activities, they have plenty of things to keep themselves busy.
4. Computer use on weekdays are only for school work and must be monitored.
5. Phones and portable gadgets must be set at tables or charging stations at bedtime. This will discipline the kids into not bringing their gadgets to bed which leads to lack of sleep and can result in health problems, according to Irish Times.
6. Gadgets and TV time can be enjoyed in the weekends only if school projects are done. School must always come first. If you would still like to set a limit to gadget use on Saturday or Sunday, then give the kids a time-frame - say two hours of computer time in the afternoons only.
7. Gadgets are off-limits during exams week including weekends. If possible, the kids should be encouraged to play in the park or outdoors as it will help stimulate the brain cells.
8. Limit the type of games, programs, and apps they are exposed to, especially for young kids. As the parent is the person buying games, use discernment in picking out age-appropriate ones. The same goes for their viewing choices.
9. Insist that the kids apply the two-step password verification on all social media accounts on their gadgets in case these gets lost or stolen. Teach the child to be a responsible Internet user.
10. Gadget ownership is a privilege. Teach the child how to care for the devices properly.
The rules are the easy part. The harder parts will include follow through, monitoring, and giving consequences if the kids disobey. As a parent, are you ready and willing to enforce these rules?
