Kids, Smart phone
If you think Smoking and gambling will lead to addiction
so are smartphones and gaming devices. Every year across the world there are
lot of kids addicted to mobile devices or gaming. You may think that you have
not heard such a thing from anyone you are close by! That is the problem! Not
many people care about kids using mobile devices all through the day until it
pops up as a huge problem.
Have you heard of Nomophobia, yes it is term to refer
people affected by mobile devices. People with nomophobia will be distressed
and anxious when they do not have mobile devices. There are little known facts
on kids with nomophobia but with access to wide range of devices it’s not far
that kids will also be affected. This article will speak more on parents and their
smart device behaviour because kids learn quickly from parents.
In most cases kids start using when they turn 1 year of
age. With busy life style and cut throat schedules for parents they turn to
mobile, tablets and games for babies, toddlers. Internet is one of the primary
catalyst with which the addiction starts. Everyone needs everything to be
started, completed immediately on a touch. If baby/toddler is fuzzy eater and
not eating quickly open YouTube and play rhymes. Baby is happy, mom/dad is
happy. STOP right there. Please stop doing this. This is where the addiction
starts for most of the kids. Do not get encouraged with this habit and think
about the actual issue of why baby is fuzzy in eating.
Imagine yourself in a stone age where there will be no
devices, no internet, no TV. It’s only you, your family with food. Don’t go
blank! There are way to survive and enjoy at the same time.
Mom/Dad with babies/toddlers can talk/act/sing/mime and
have fun. The goal is to get engaged with them. Try various options and find
what they like and continue it doing. It’s as simple as that. Some days it
would be difficult with the time given, but plan yourself. Give more time with
babies/toddlers. Set your mind for the worst and lots of patients. If you have
more than one kid have a family dinner time.
Now coming back to mobile devices, remember discipline
starts from you as a parent. If you use mobile device, if you watch smart TV,
if you play Xbox or play station please control it. I am not saying stop it,
just control it. Build discipline in using smart device for yourself. Keep a
control on Facebook, messaging services, YouTube etc. don’t get glued to you
device whenever you hear a message tone or see a led blinking. Don’t get anxious,
if you don’t see the mobile you are going to lose your job or money. Bring your
self to a habit of checking the smart devices or play games for a limited time
of a day. Remember if kids see you using mobile phones or play games, they will
be tempted to use it and explore it.
Kids with existing problem of using smart phones and
playing games must be moulded in a different way. First identify what
application they are using in smart phone, is it mobile games, chatting or watching
cartoons in YouTube. Identify the peak period of smart device usage, is it
evening, morning or night. Start putting a plan together by discussing with
your partner. Both the partners should cooperate to help your child see the
beautiful world. In Evening encourage kids to go out and play. Join with them
for the fun for few weeks until they create interest in playing outdoor or
cycling in nearby park. If the usage of mobile devices or playing games are
high during dinner/night time bring a discipline for the whole family. Change Wi-Fi
password, switch-off if not required. Get to an understanding with kids that
use of internet or online games is only during these hours or days. Distract
the family with family time quiz, singing song, playing chess or simply
discussing on various things around you. Recognise the sacrifice the kid is
doing by taking them out for movies or beach or new place. The more distraction
from smart devices the faster the control and discipline will come.
We want our kids to be strong, healthy and then teach the
kids to see the world through eyes than smart phone cameras. Teach the kids to
talk face to face than using Facebook. Five Fingers in a hand are not the same
in the same way every person and place in the world is different with unique
qualities. If we teach our kids about addictiveness, flexibility, people,
places and to be humane they are fittest for survival in future world of
unknowns!
