Is Too Much Screen Time Diminishing Kid’s Personal Social Skills?

We live in a digital era where we use smartphones and computers to perform most of our daily activities. While technology significantly increases our efficiency to multitask, over-dependency on it can hamper our social behavior. Quite often, parents complain about their kids devoting too much time on mobile phones and tablets. As their tiny fingers fidget around the screen in a virtual world, kids seem to forget the old world charm of outdoor playing with friends and actual toys. Too much screen time is also affecting their social and interpersonal skills required for carrying out their day to day life when they grow up. By installing a Parental Control Software like TiSPY, you can ensure your kids follow all the rules and use the devices to increase their overall development.

Feature-rich smartphones, with catchy animations, notification alerts, are tempting and attractive, especially for kids. Technology, if used correctly, can be quite advantageous as not all apps and games on phones are damaging. Some intuitive games improve the cognitive capability in kids. Similarly, kids suffering from medical conditions can use technology to communicate with their parents and friends in a better way. Regardless of our perception of smartphones and tablets, we must acknowledge that these devices are here to stay. Rather than avoiding its usage altogether, focus on using it constructively to enhance the overall development of your kid.

However, becoming technology-dependent at a young age restricts them in developing real-world communication skills. By constantly hiding behind their screens, they are unable to recognize social cues and body language of the person standing next to them. As a result, they have trouble to initiate face to face communication or even hold a communication for a couple of minutes. Apart from social skills, the continuous use of a cellphone can affect a kid’s mental well-being as well. Lack of actual conversation makes them self-centered and anxious, and might even aggravate to self-pity, self-doubt, or depression.

Now that we are aware of the problem, let’s look into some steps to tackle it:

1. Talk to them: Most of the parents overlook the need to talk to their kids. This lack of communication often causes conflicts within a family. Discuss your concerns with them and make them understand why you are setting rules. Once you reason with them and they realize the issue, they will be more likely to abide by the rules.
2. Set rules: Although it seems impossible to escape from technology these days, you can still set rules for your kids to disconnect from it now and then. Rather than asking them to shun their tablets and smartphones completely, try to limit the usage gradually. To begin with, set times of the day for using the devices and gradually decrease the usage.
3. Have patience: It takes a while to get rid of old habits. So, have patience and don’t expect results over-night. Rather than panicking, have faith in your kids and help them in working it out.
4. Practice what you preach: It is unfair to expect your kids to listen or obey if they see you fiddling with your phone continuously. Set a good example and limit your phone usage when you are with your family. If you have some urgent work, prefer doing it over a call.
5. Use Parental Control Software: You can use a Parental Control Software to control the devices of your kids remotely. These smart apps allow you to lock the phone or shut it down instantly. Additionally, you can set the parental controls to allow or block a website. Such software can be quite useful if you are away at work, and your kids get tempted to break the rules. However, for building-trust and effectiveness, your kids must understand the logic of installing the software in the first place.

6. Engage the Kids: Encourage your kids to take part in physical activities that don’t require a phone. Playing outside with neighbors, enrolling in creative classes, working on fun projects, etc. are a few ways to ensure that they interact with their classmates. These activities instill confidence and boost skills like motor skills, interpersonal skills, and other social skills.

Conclusion:

The points mentioned above in this article address the issues associated with over-indulgence on screen time for kids. Hopefully, by following the steps included in the article, you will be able to limit the smartphone exposure and improve the social skills of your child.