For a child, the internet and television can easily go from a fun way of spending time to addiction. Finding other fun and healthy activities for your children, instead of being online all the time and watching online videos, helps them to practice their creative and intellectual skills. You should introduce them to physical activities like reading, exercising, playing outdoor sports, painting and other creative activities.
When I was a child, my parents mostly worried about how much time we spent in front of the TV. For today’s children, the chances are pretty good that your concern would be how many cartoons and online videos they are watching on youtube, amazon or netflix. This addiction to watching online videos is affecting the health as well as sleeping patterns of children.
However, teens can be engaged in watching pornography or explicit material online. Parents should take preventive measures for their children to prevent them from being addicted to watching online videos.
I have scoured some important steps to follow as a preventive measure to the online video addiction which are:
- Create a family media policy
Create a media policy for your family, especially for your children. The use of media and watching online videos should not be allowed at the dinner table or bedtime. You should follow these rules and policies first to set an example for your children.
- Teach them about having a work/life balance
Teach your children the importance of having a work life balance. Children of growing age don’t understand the importance of face-to-face conversation and they spend every waking minute in front of screens. A well-balanced life is as important for kids as it is for adults.
- Limit screen time
Parents should set screen limits in the early ages of their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggested to parents that their kids should not use screens until the age of 18 to 24 months. By doing this, you can control their habits towards screen and online videos in the future too.
- Use screen locks
Children are more likely to binge watch videos in the absence of their parents. You should have a lock screen on the devices and don’t share it with your children so they will always ask your permission every time they will use the device.
- Monitor activities
Teens and tweens are more likely to be addicted to screen activities as they socialise with their peers on the plethora of platforms. Parents should monitor their child’s online activities and their changing interests to prevent them from consuming inapporopriate content such as pornography etc.
- Set boundaries
Set clear boundaries and limits to the use of the internet and especially to watching videos whether on social media, YouTube or any other website. Don’t try to take away their digital device as they will consider you their enemy instead of an ally. Set the boundaries by mutual consultation.
- Show your care
Don’t investigate directly about anything as children interpret this behavior as blame or criticism. Start the discussion by showing them love and telling them how much you care about them. Reassure them that you aren’t condemning them instead you care for them and their health.
The number of children addicted to digital devices is increasing day by day and parents are unable to control it. The right approach to the problem will give you yield desired results. Although these measures can be effective in preventing addiction to screens and online video watching it is crucial that you approach your kids in the right manner and not impose rules forcefully.