Opinion | How to help children break away from smartphone addiction

There is no denying the fact that mobile phone is indeed very instrumental  & back us in so many ways.Earlier it was used for only making calls but now almost our whole life  whirl around it.From communication,education,internet to social media,it has made our life so smooth & cushy.Precisely speaking,it is a blessing till we use it carefully.However,if used slovenly & recklessly,despite its many favorable effects it will surely generate loathsome side effects. Because like every gadget out there,smartphones have pros & cons too.

Reckless use of Smartphones  has become a common practice these days not just among adults but even kids(including those who are only a few months older).Various Surveys reveal that people would rather eat less than give up their mobile phone.People who forget their phone at home will return to retrieve it but would elect to move on without their wallet.This Smartphone addiction among adults has automatically paved the way for the same addiction in kids.We oft censure our children for smartphone addiction but it is actually we(Parents) who make them addicted to the same.We first acquaint our kids with smartphones,so that they don’t disconcert us when we are otherwise engaged.We do so to detract them to avoid any crabby behaviour.Hence, they become addicted to smartphones.

 Spending limitless time on the smartphone is not good specially for a kid,It can have hostile effects on children’s physical & mental health.A famous scholar was quoted as saying,Giving smartphone to a child is more dangerous than placing a burning coal in his hand.This must give us an idea how serious issue this is.Therefore,It becomes so important especially for  parents to understand the risks & make up their mind to repress this addiction in their kids.Breaking away child’s addiction to smartphone can be onerous & challenging but not impossible especially if you find creative ways to do that.Here are some provided in the following

(A) Be an exemplar for your child:As a parent it is  impossible to not model.Children often grow up to imitate the behaviour & attitude of their parents.children whose parents smoke in their attendance are more likely to smoke themselves.Similarly,If parents are accustomed to perusing books,their children are more likely to do the same.Same is the case with the limitless use of mobile phone in their presence.Set a good example by circumscribing your unnecessary mobile phone usage,this really wil help to keep them away from a smartphone.

B)Set up household rules:Parents should make house rules for kids i.e set up strict rules to limit their time for using mobile,Tv & other gadgets.Dissuade their use  during mealtimes,study hours,sleeping time & playing hours.This approach of parenting not only can divert children from engaging all the time on smartphone but also help in keeping them physically & mentally stronger.

C)Spend quality time with your children:As parents,we remain busy with our work & fail to spend quality time with our kids.When child feels ignored & lonely,it may compel him to spend all the time on watching t.v.or using smartphone or indulge in other bad habits.By spending time with your children you can easily engage them in different hobbies like reading,writing,painting etc.Thus  they will stop using smartphones to escape from loneliness.

D)Stimulate outdoor sports in children:Mostly children don’t play outdoor games these days like children used to play sometime before.Outdoor sports play a crucial role in reducing laziness in children & helps them to stay fit,active & healthy.Encouraging children to play outside also helps to quit their smartphone addiction totally.

To conclude,the above mentioned are the four primary & the easiest  ways that almost every parent can follow to impede smartphone addiction in kids.Parents,if you are really concerned about the health of your children then follow these prolific ways to help your children break away from overreliance on smartphones.

Masroof Manzoor,

From Shopian,

Masters in Economics.