Limit Your Kids’ Screen Time By Offering These Alternatives

Too much screen time can have a negative effect on many aspects of our lives, from our ability to get quality sleep to our spine and back health. For kids, the effects also include symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as lower test scores in school. But with all the games and social media platforms available at the touch of a button these days, it can be difficult to keep young people away from their screens. Not only that, some kids use computers or other devices for school, which makes it even more challenging for parents to impose limits.

You might start by getting educated on various topics that affect kids and looking for ways to keep your children safe, especially during their online time; Communitysafetynet.com offers lots of helpful information for families. You can also look for fun alternatives you can offer your kids that will get them to put down the devices, such as:

 

Get outside

When the weather is nice, looking for fun outdoor activities is a great way to get your little ones away from the screen. If you’re able to join them, all the better! Head to the park and play a live-action version of their favorite video game, or set up activity centers in the backyard. Just keep in mind that backyard activity means you’ll want to plan for safety. Make a sweep through the area to check for pet waste, sharp objects that might hurt bare feet, and harmful plants.

If your yard isn’t fenced, look online for a contractor and read reviews of their work on sites like Angi.com to get an idea of what to expect. Make sure they’re licensed and insured to work in your area, and that they know about any buried gas or power lines before they begin digging. Keep in mind that the cost of installing a fence will depend on the materials used and the size of the space.

 

Introduce them to a hobby

Outdoor fun is a great replacement for screen time because it allows for physical exercise, but you can also look for ways to keep your kids entertained on days when the weather isn’t cooperative. Having a hobby benefits kids in several ways, especially if it’s creative. Studies have shown that kids who play an instrument, for instance, tend to do better in school. Talk to your child to find out what interests them most at the moment and, if possible, pick up a hobby along with them. Trying something new is always more fun with someone you care about!

 

Go through their toys

If your child already has a hobby, sometimes the best way to get them to cut down on their screen time is to reintroduce them to their toys. Often, kids get so accustomed to allowing their devices to entertain them that they forget all about the fun things hiding in their toy boxes. Pull out those old building blocks, set up some modeling clay, and go through collections that haven’t been touched in a while. Most kids love looking through items they’ve forgotten they had and will spend some time playing with them rather than looking at a screen.

 

Keep an eye on things

No matter how many alternatives you give them, your kids may still find a way to use their devices. Fortunately, there are several apps available for parents who want to monitor their kids’ activity online and make sure they’re following the rules. This is especially helpful if your children need to use a device for school work and aren’t allowed to utilize it for personal use until it’s done.

 

Interested in more safety content? CSN has safety books written for children aged 5-11 and their families on a variety of topics, check them out here:

https://communitysafetynet.com/store/

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