When my children spend too much time looking at the screens of their devices – their personality seems to disappear. Literally. I can talk to them, and they act like they can hear me, they RESPOND even. When they actually put the device down – there is no recollection of any conversation with us, or anyone else!
I call them the Blue Faced Monsters. That darn screen casts an ugly blue hue on their sweet little faces and turns them into something else. ARGH. I know I am not the only one who feels this pain. Managing kids time in front of their devices is an uphill battle.
Managing Screen Time
Every age kid needs some limits placed on them to avoid the monster phase:
- Set age appropriate screen time limits. This should include phones, tablets, iPods, computers, television and video games! As my kids get older, I allow more time but when they are young, I strictly limit their screen time.
- Avoid screen time one hour before bedtime. It has been proven that the blue light from electronic devices disturbs your body’s natural sleep rhythms. My kids are cannot use their device for anything but music an hour before bedtime.
- Allow your kids the ability to earn screen time. A great way to do this is by giving them a chore list with minutes allowed on a device for each chore. Another idea is to give five minutes for each good deed the child does.
- The flip side of number three, is to allow them to lose screen time. When the kids are not being nice to their siblings or not sharing well with friends, take time away from the device. If the chores do not get done, take some time away!
- Monitor what your kids are watching and looking at. I know the pass code to my kids devices. They know that I will be checking on their phones or tablets anytime. I also follow them on any social media platform that they are on.
- Do not allow any device in their bedroom after bedtime. All devices go to our charging station on the main floor, away from bedrooms on the upstairs level every evening before bed!
- Take advantage of programs provided by devices and cell phone providers to limit the time being used. The Amazon Kindle provides parent controls on the device. It allows you to control the amount of time for each type of activity from movies to games to music. Verizon offers a program called FamilyBase for a small fee. I am able to see each number that has called or been dialed, every phone number that has sent a text, how many texts and what time they were sent. It allows me to set times that phone and data can get to my kids phones. I don’t allow voice or data between 8pm and 7am. Ultimate control.
- Do not allow the device to be on at school. My kids both take their phones to school so they can contact me after the school day is over. They know the phones are not to be on during the day or disturb their learning in any way. After school, they send me a text letting me know where they are.
I realize times have changed from when I was a kid. The turning on of the street lights no longer signals that it is time to go home. People don’t really talk to each other much anymore since a text message is so much quicker and less invasive. But why can’t we all go out and play kick the can and then go home and read a good book after dark? I don’t think I ever met a Blue Faced Monster when I was a kid!
