The Importance of Distraction-Free Parenting

Parents today are generally aware of why it is a problem to let their kids constantly be on phones, computers and TVs. They know it impacts kids’ sleep, that it is a factor in childhood obesity, that it is associated with delayed language development in babies and delayed social skills development in children and teens. They know that too much time of screens is a predictor of academic problems and social anxiety and that it is linked to attention, emotional and conduct problems. Nonetheless, many parents find it difficult to limit their kids’ use of devices. Partly it’s because they have become so common in American homes. The average American home has 10 active devices. In families of 4 or more, there can be as many as 19! Even when parents make an effort to limit use at home, devices are available at school and from their friends. Parents can’t control access every minute of every day. Parent use is biggest hurdle But it seems that the biggest hurdle for many parents to overcome in managing their kids’ time on screens is their own overuse of devices. Maybe you are one of them. If so, you’re not alone in having a technology habit that is hard to break. The current cohort of parents is used to having – and using – technology everywhere. A 2017 national survey conducted by Common Sense Media, which included nearly 1,800 parents of children aged eight to 18, found that parents spend an average of 8 hours a day on various screens for personal use, not work....
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Children and Teens Communication Family Habits Parenting Technology Active Listening better communication Smartphone social media Source Type: blogs