Parental roles in smartphone addiction.

In today’s digital age, smartphones have become a casual part of our daily lives, and it is getting pretty hard to imagine a world without them.
While smartphones may offer a variety of benefits, they also come with their own fair share of personal drawbacks, which is definitely the problem of quick addiction.

As parents, it’s essential to understand the role we play in our children smartphone addiction and also necessary steps to prevent it.

Phubbing: What Is It?

Phubbing is the practice of neglecting other people in a group setting by concentrating on one’s mobile device rather than interacting with the other people there.

Phone snubbing, from the words “phone” and “snubbing,” is the origin of the phrase.

Problematic smartphone use by parents could obstruct relationships with their kids. And it can result in very poor parental guidance needed for the formative stages of childhood. Even according to new studies, parents who use their smartphones more frequently either take longer to respond to their children’s conduct or do not respond at all, which is detrimental to the parent-child bond. Also, adolescents perceive unfavorable parenting behaviors like rejection and compulsion when parents are overly focused on their cellphones. It makes them less sympathetic and more negligent.

Parental roles in preventing smartphone addiction.

It has been discovered that children adopt and imitate their parents’ behaviors during the early stages of their lives, which can also affect the frequency of smartphone use and addictive usage habits.

This is especially true if parents compulsively check and use smartphones at home all time. Teenagers are reported to be more susceptible to Internet addiction when their parents are unduly reliant on the Internet in the same context and in the same house.

Here are some tips that can help clamp down excessive smartphone use with your ward/child.

1) Explain.

Your teen’s excessive phone use may seem clear to you as a disruptive issue that is growing in importance, but they may not. Talk to them about some of the potential effects of their actions, such as the harm that multitasking may do to their concentration and productivity. And also discuss the danger that continual social media use poses to their real-world social skills.

They will be more motivated to participate in attempts to fix the problem if they are aware of it.

2) Be a Role Model.

Children often learn by observing their parents. So if we spend too much time on our phones, they are more likely to do the same. Parents need to set a good example and limit their smartphone usage in front of their children. This not only sets a good example but also creates opportunities for more meaningful interactions between parents and children

3)Monitor screen time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2-5 years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day. For children aged 6 and above, parents need to set appropriate limits. Parents need to also ensure that screen time doesn’t interfere with other essential activities such as homework, physical activity, and sleep.

4)Set Boundaries.

Parents need to set boundaries around smartphone usage. Especially during meal times, family outings, and other important family events. This ensures that children are fully present and engaged in these activities and helps prevent them from becoming too reliant on their smartphones.

5) Encourage physical activities.

Physical activity is essential for overall health and well-being. It also helps reduce smartphone addiction. Parents need to encourage their children to engage in physical activities such as sports, outdoor play, and other physical activities that get them moving and away from their smartphones.

6) More social interaction.

Smartphones can be a barrier to social interaction, particularly when they’re used excessively. Parents need to encourage their children to interact with their friends and family members in person, rather than relying on social media and other digital platforms to stay connected.

Conclusion

Parents play a vital role in preventing smartphone addiction in their children. By being a role model, monitoring screen time, creating new boundaries, encouraging physical activity, and social interaction, and apps like APPLATCH kids, Parents can help their children develop healthy smartphone habits and prevent smartphone addiction. As parents, it’s essential to be proactive and take steps to prevent smartphone addiction before it becomes a problem.