Digital Detox For Kids: How Much Screen Time Should Kids Have

Computer addiction, gaming disorder, cyber addiction – different names but they all mean the same thing. When a child spends too much time at the computer, he stops noticing what is happening around him. Gadgets, computers, and games grab his attention and reduce his interest in social relationships, daily activities, and even personal hygiene. In the following article, read about- Why is controlling kids’ screen time important and how to create a digital detox for kids.

Screen time and a child's development

Don’t rush to confiscate your child’s computer or smartphone before getting a diagnosis. Computer addiction can be diagnosed if behavioral disorders are observed within 3 months and include problems in family and social relationships as well as problems in other areas of life. It is also important to recognize that computer games and the Internet do offer some benefits for a child’s development and should not be completely excluded from his life.

Therefore, let's explore why children are attracted to computers and the best ways to minimize their negative impact on a child. This will help you know how much screen time kids should have and how to effectively control it. 

What are children looking for in the virtual world?

Before we solve the "screen time and children" problem, let us examine its cause. Imagine the following scenario:

An 11-year-old boy lives with his parents in NY. He is a mediocre student and often has confrontations with teachers and classmates. As a result, he is not respected by his peers or teachers, and this snowballs into conflict and communication issues with his parents and siblings at home.

This is his life in the real world. And what does he have in the virtual world?

In his online world, he has status – a sword of the 80th level or an advanced tank. He leads teams, defeats enemies, or participates in rallies of world capitals. There he is an admired hero. In his virtual world, if he makes a mistake, he can always get back to the beginning and start again. Winning games boost his self-esteem and self respect.

Comparing reality to computers, it’s not surprising that this boy prefers the latter.

This is just one of the possible scenarios, but the outcome demonstrates that children who experience an interesting, engaging life are less likely to be drawn into the world of virtual adventures.

Not many parents pay attention to this side of the issue. So before depriving a child of gadgets and limiting kids’ screen time, you should think of what you can offer to counteract the allure of the virtual world.

How to control kids’ screen time

What to do if a child's interest in a computer turns into addiction? How much screen time should kids have?

To prevent addiction, some parents limit the time children spend with gadgets to 1-2 hours a day. Others try to divert their child's attention to sports or hobbies. Still others send their child to computer courses, hoping to direct a child’s energy to creativity instead of killing monsters in a computer game. And these are somewhat effective ways to deal with computer addiction.

Another great option, instead of fighting against computer addiction, one should seek to communicate and gently persuade a child that it is not worth spending so much time at the computer.

The child needs to see the whole picture, he only has a certain amount of time in his day, and he has to plan proactively on how to spend it best. In addition to the pleasure that a child gets at a computer, there are several other important areas in his life, like health, education and relationships. Ask your child how much time he’s spending on each of these areas and explain why it’s important to devote time for each of them. 

This model is quite simple and helps a child see something more in his life apart from games, gadgets and fun. A child begins to internalize that playing games all the time will affect his future. This is a way of beginning the process of digital detox for kids.

To make this concept as concrete as possible, make a pie graph. Draw a circle, divide it into 4 parts and label the sections. And then ask your child how much time he is spending on each and fill in the appropriate percentage points. 

Naturally, a child will fill in the "pleasure" section himself, he knows best what his pleasure needs are. But with the sections of "education", "health" and “relationships”, he might need an adult to help him. Tell the child how diligent study affects his success in life, how reading books influence the development of thinking and imagination, why morning exercises are the key to health, the benefits of drinking 1.5-2 liters of water a day, and how playing with a friend improves social skills, communication skills and creativity. Share with your child everything that you think is important and necessary for his optimal development.

Your child may not find this method compelling at first. But if you keep referring to it while reinforcing attention to time management, it will become a habit eventually.

It will also become easier for you to convince your child to stop playing on the computer and focus on other important areas in life. 

The pie graph technique cannot guarantee that your child will immediately begin to spend less time at the computer. But with a two-way respectful dialogue, he will be more attentive to your words and advice, and will appreciate their benefits over time.

Computer addiction in children is a fairly common problem, and knowing how much screen time kids should have is important. Most often, a child immersed in the virtual world is searching for vivid impressions, emotions, and pleasure. That is why it is difficult to deal with computer addiction. The solution to this serious problem is replacing what the child is struggling to gain. Not to take away gadgets from a child, but to offer him a worthy, productive alternative.