In this digital age, parents are facing the challenge on how to find a balance on managing the time their children spend with their gadgets. Nowadays, parents sometimes rely on these high tech gadgets to keep the children occupied while they do their jobs.
Despite the usefulness and benefits of technology, it also brings some negative effects, especially on children. In fact, screen time management among kids remains a debatable issue.
Hence, Gary Shapiro, the President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and Jaynee Handelsman, the President of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) joined forces almost ten years ago as they see a prevailing issue about the over usage of technology, especially with children. The previous issue is still an ongoing concern as smartphones and gadgets become as universal as television.
According to an op-ed article forwarded to Parent Herald via email, ASHA conducted a survey this year and found out that more than half of parents noticed that their children attention span is shorter. For example, kids of today's generation are inattentive when someone is talking or it is hard for them to pay attention to someone, they can't focus in school and it's hard for them to engage in meaningful conversations.
With that said, how much time parents should allow their children to use these gadgets remains the main concern of digital age parenting. If parents can regularly manage their children's screen time, this will be providing a strong support for good habits that can last throughout the kids' growing up years.
This 2016, ASHA outlined some helpful guidelines for parents who are willing to follow safe-use habits for their children, as well as within the family. These tips will assist parents in setting healthy screen time limits to their children's use of tech gadgets, as well as boost the practice of family bonding and cooperation.
One important guideline is to have a so-called "Tech Free Day," where children are encourage to play other non-tech games such as board games, basketball or simply running around your backyard. In addition, assigning a gadget free area at home could also help, wherein children and parents alike are banned to use gadgets or technology in that particular area. That way, the family could have some good and meaningful conversations sans the distraction of tech and gadgets.
Another vital tip is inspiring or encouraging kids to try new hobbies or sports, which can be extracurricular activities at school or engage them with arts and crafts at home. Moreover, parents should also ban the kids from using their gadgets while on a road trip instead, devise other strategies to deal with boredom such as sing-alongs, car games or audio books the family can enjoy.
Turning down the volume is another tip. According to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion of young people from ages 12-35 are at risk in of hearing loss because of listening to too loud music. Some parents are advised to get their kids special headphones that can't be turned up beyond safe decibels.
Finally, setting up a screen time limit is a must. Parents could think of creative ways on how to limit their children's screen time, which can be a reward once school work and other tasks are completed.
High end technology has helped our lives in endless possible ways that is why as much as it is a tool we must use it in moderation. Everything that is abused always has a bad effect especially on children.
High-end technology has indeed helped improve the lives of mankind in endless possible ways yet it is also a tool that should be utilize in moderation. Remember, children's over-immersion in the digital realm could lead to harmful effects in which it can affect language development, hamper communication skills and damage hearing.
Finding the right balance, however, could really help parents manage their kids' digital diet. Who knows, parents and experts may realize that the benefits of children using tech and gadgets could outweigh the harm.
