Is teen device use a gut wrenching nightmare for you? Are you worried they are being exposed to harmful content, missing social development and becoming more anxious?
It’s easy to feel battered by the storm of device use advice. The Same Boat Parents team have all felt overwhelmed by the situation and had to take action. The results were life changing. Here are 3 top tips which work:
Take the pain so they don’t have to
Helping a teen learn device control is hard, but it will be worth it for all the pain you save them. Study after study suggests that uncontrolled device use makes childhood worse. From neck pain to anxiety, mindless use of devices is stunting teen development. They are however a crucial part of modern living. We have to teach them how to use them appropriately. Pick your strategy and then be consistent in enforcing it, no matter how tiring it gets.
Model the boundaries you want - it will help enormously
So many adults behave in a way with devices that they don’t want their teens to. Start with yourself. Do you put your phone away when talking with your teen? Are you able to leave your phone out of sight and focus on what you are doing? Is your screen time appropriate? They will be learning from your every action.
Teen led control
The best results involve their input. Get a conversation going about what rules the house should have for device use. When is it time to put the device down and how do they want to be reminded time is up? The more input they have the more they are learning self-control.
