Learn How Kids Embrace, Consume and Socialize Using Technology
Are your kids texting, gaming and listening to music all the time? Doesn’t a period of time without your kids texting, gaming, watching TV, etc. seem rather appealing? Then, how about calling for an electronic moratorium?
An electronic moratorium means limiting kids texting, gaming and listening to music. Unplugging is ripe with opportunities for your kids to find other ways to spend their time. If you are a parent who uses loss of electronics as a consequence for misbehavior, you may already have discovered the unplanned benefits of periods of unplugging. You may have found that while your kids were initially angry and miserable, they soon realized they had to find other ways of filling their time. Within a couple of days, there may have been a remarkable change. Instead of being holed up in their rooms with all their electronics, kids wander out into the family room and actually talk!
They begin to find other things to do … playing board games, putting together puzzles, and taking evening bike rides. A previously discarded musical instrument may be retuned and singing can be heard; the bike wheels are inflated and play dates are scheduled. Legos come back out, as well as arts and craft supplies. After a while, they don’t seem to miss the electronics. Some parents find that when they aren’t putting up with their kids texting, gaming, etc., their kids seem to become happier, more interactive and more creative!
Are Your Kids Texting and Gaming Too Much?
Unplugging doesn’t need to be a punishment! How about limiting your kids texting, gaming and so on for the sheer benefits it can bring? Here are some suggestions for some simple unplugging strategies:
• Meal times: No kids texting at the dinner table! All cell phones, TVs, hand-held games and iPods should be left in another room during meal times … whether eating at home, at someone else’s house, or at a restaurant.
• Unplugged time: All phones, including the land line, need to be shut off (or at least go unanswered) during meals and other family time, such as when watching a movie together, playing games or on an outing.
• School days: Make a rule that there is no gaming on school days. This will avoid a lot of hassles and arguments about getting off the computer, the Wii, etc.
• Homework time: There’s no excuse for kids texting, Facebooking, IMing or chatting during homework time. Music should be negotiable, because some kids actually concentrate better with music.
• Bed time: Kids texting, IMing, etc. is how they maintain their social lives. Therefore, it is important that they have time to “talk” with their friends. Give them time to stay connected, and then specify the time at which they need to be turned off for the night. Leave the electronics in their rooms only if you can absolutely trust that they follow the rules about their usage. If not sure, have them turned over to you until morning.
• Driving time: All electronics need to be off during time in the car—with the exception of long car trips. A trip to the grocery store doesn’t warrant a movie or video game. Instead, turn car rides into time to talk, tell jokes, sing songs, and play ‘I Spy,’ the Alphabet Game or 20 Questions.
• Interaction time: Eye contact must be made when engaged in conversation. Ear buds need to be disengaged and fingers need to be off the cell phone keypad when conversation is going on, or you need to talk to your child about something.
• Gaming time: Set time limits for the amount of time they are allowed to play their electronic games. If your kids don’t comply, then the length of gaming time gets shortened or taken away altogether.
Make sure you are setting a good example. If you don’t want your kids texting, talking on their phones or constantly relying on some electronic device for entertainment, then be sure to model other ways to spend their time.
When you limit kids texting, gaming, etc., they can then become tuned in, tapped in and turned on to other activities and family members around them.
I’m Dr. Vicki—
Enjoy your kids!
Tags: child psychologist, gaming, parenting advice
FROM THE BLOG 
Thank you for this great advice especially regarding school days! The games were consuming us and I have since limited them to weekends only and for only an hour or two each day. While my kids do still protest come Monday, they now know that it’s the rule and look forward to their weekends a little more.