Technology is a powerful tool that helps us in many ways. It makes work easier. It helps children learn. It brings entertainment to the family.
But technology can also harm us. It distracts from interacting with others. It reduces time spent together as a family. It can even introduce bullying to children in devastating ways.
Look for opportunities to limit technology use by your family. Consider these ways to reduce your family’s tech use in the coming year.
Set an example
As a parent, you can introduce responsible tech use by serving as an example. If you constantly use your phone to text others, play games or scroll through social media, your children see this.
Set limits for yourself for using technology when away from work. Make time off the clock an opportunity to disconnect and spend time with family. The first step in responsible technology use starts with you.
Create family rules for technology
Start the process of reducing family tech use with a discussion about why rules are important. You can discuss recent news articles about the negative impact of too much tech use with your family. Ask your children for their reaction to stories about negative impacts. Have they experienced negative feelings or anxiety while using tech? Do they know others who have had these experiences?
Build a foundation of understanding about how tech use can negatively impact us. This will underscore the importance of rules and why they are needed. Discuss how you have rules related to other activities, such as school work and curfews. The use of tech is no different. Make it clear that everyone in the family must follow the rules, not just the kids.
Advocate technology as a privilege earned
There are certain things parents must provide their children. These include love, shelter, food and other basics. This does not include technology. Children can lose sight of technology as a privilege because it is so prevalent. They have smart TVs, cell phones, computers, gaming systems and so much more.
But these are enhancements to their lives, not basic necessities. Children must understand and value these devices as bonuses they enjoy as a privilege, not as a right. Make this clear so they appreciate the value of earning the privilege that can be lost if they don’t acknowledge this. Impose age restrictions on certain technology, such as a cell phone for kids.
Monitor the family’s technology
As a parent, you must monitor the technology used by your family. You would not allow your children to behave however they choose in other ways. Make sure you know the television shows they watch, the apps they download and the websites they visit.
Insist on approving new technology purchases, such as apps and video games. When they are purchased, set rules for their use. Limit access to technology to age-appropriate apps and sites. Establish yourself as the first place your children must go for permission. And be consistent about checking their technology use to ensure they follow the rules.
Create consequences for breaking tech rules
A parent must be consistent when applying the rules. Once you set them for technology use, make sure the consequences of breaking them are clear. The punishment for not following them must be consistently applied. This is a good way to reinforce the idea that technology is a privilege that can be lost.
Consequences of breaking the tech rules can be losing access to a device or game, or maybe all tech. Set a time for shutting down access, like a day, a week or more. Maybe you want your children to pay into a family entertainment account if they break the rules. The punishment should make your children aware of the violation so they don’t do it again.
Emphasize respect when using technology
Children should understand that they must use technology in a respectful way. Prohibit bullying behavior on social media and encourage your children to expose it when they see it. Promote positive use of technology, as a treat after homework or a way to promote a charitable cause on social media. Eliminate technology at the dinner table for everyone to preserve this special time as a family.
It can be frustrating to ask your spouse or child a question that they ignore while on the computer or playing a game. Discuss how disrespectful it can be to ignore those around us if we are consumed by technology.
Set tech-free time periods for family
If given the opportunity, we could use different technology at all hours of the day. There should be periods of time when tech use is not allowed in the house. Everyone agrees there is no place for devices at the dinner table. But set other restrictions that limit excessive use of technology.
There is research that states technology right before bedtime can be harmful to sleep. Set a clear time for your family to shut down. No computers, smartphones or televisions are allowed 30 minutes before bed. No technology until all chores and homework is completed. A two-hour limit for video game use can help your child focus on other activities.
Emphasize the value of technology
It’s true that children often don’t appreciate what things cost. They take for granted that if they drop their smartphone, you will buy them another. But they should value the price of technology.
Teach them this early by showing them what technology costs. A new smart phone can cost nearly $1,000. Make it clear that if they break it, they will have to help replace it. You could also decide they should help with the initial purchase. Promise to match whatever money they earn on their own to buy that video game they want.
Your children need your guidance and wisdom as a parent. Establish clear and firm rules for technology in your home, and you will help limit your children’s reliance on it.