Worried about screen time? Here are some of things you can do to reduce it

**Collaborative post**

There is no doubt that as we have progressed in life and technology has developed at a rapid rate. Years ago, when you were a child, you perhaps didn’t have access to a games console, watched TV occasionally, and favoured being outside instead. But these days, technology is very much a part of our children’s lives. In truth, technology and screens are not all that bad. Some incredible educational apps can help a child learn, and gaming can often be associated with improving problem-solving skills, and pretty much all homework for school is now done online. However, the issue is how much our children spend on their screens. If you are worried about screen time, then there are some things that you can do to reduce it. Here are some suggestions. 

It is time to set some boundaries 

One of the first things you can do is set some boundaries regarding screen time. This means that you do things such as having set times for when screens are permitted or having a time limit as to how long they can be on their devices before needing a break. Set boundaries, and then make sure you stick to them. You can find more tips on helping to reduce screen time in this article. 

Prioritise sleep 

An issue many parents have is screen time at night. Many kids like to watch phones or play on devices before bed, but this can often mean a late night if left unsupervised. Stop screens at bedtime and instead prioritise sleep. Introduce a new bedtime routine that involves some chill-out time. If you have a teenager, encourage them to read a book or do something different, such as a bath or shower before bed. 

Be aware of what they are consuming

Another thing that you need to do as a parent is to be aware of what they are consuming. Are the apps they play age-appropriate? Are they watching YouTube videos that are appropriate viewing? If they are on social media what sort of content are they looking at? Knowing what they consume means that the screen time they do have can be productive and certainly appropriate. 

Set limits on your internet router or via your provider

If you need to set some limits, then you could use your internet router for that. Many internet providers will enable you to programme a time when the wifi is deactivated, or it disconnects from certain devices. If you are unsure about how to set limits, speak to your internet provider. This post shares tips on how to set up parental controls on your router. 

Lead by example 

We can all be guilty of being on our phones and devices, so as a parent, it is important for you to set an example. When you are asking your kids to not be on their devices then refrain from using yours as well. It is a lot easier for you to ask them to do something if you are doing it yourself. 

Spend time with your kids

If you want to give them something else to do then why not spend time with your kids yourself? Get a board game out, do something creative or simply spark up a conversation. You will be surprised how easy it will be for them to step away from their screens when you spend some time with them. 

Some of our favourite screen-free activities include:

• Board games – Monopoly is a firm favourite, with the benefit that it can easily last a good few hours, if not longer
• Baking – anything involving chocolate or making our own pizzas
• Card games
• Backgammon
• Any kind of messy craft – in fact the messier the better the kids say

Avoid screens in bedrooms 

If it is possible, a great tip is to take away screens from their bedrooms and avoid handheld devices being used there. When they are out of sight in their bedroom, as a parent if can be difficult to monitor how much time they are spending on their devices. Removing screens from bedrooms means their only option is to use them in living areas. Which makes it easier to monitor and reduce the time accordingly. 

Encourage participation in different activities

If you can, try and encourage them to take part in different activities. It might mean signing them up for different clubs or even encouraging them to start new hobbies. Giving them something else to focus on can be a great way to reduce the time they spend on their devices. 

Many schools have after school clubs the kids can try out, and not all you have to pay for. At Harry’s school they are allowed to sign up for one free after school club, and after the Christmas break Harry will be trying out Fencing. While Emmy’s school has over 30 different after school or lunchtime clubs available for free.

Screen-free days

Another great tip is to try and have screen-free days. This means that the whole family chooses not to use devices and instead plan a day that you do different things. It is a great way to spend some quality time together and step away from the usual routine.

You could try:

• A family bike ride
• A day out to the park, seaside or just a nice long walk
• Take a bus ride
• Go for a picnic

Avoid screens at mealtimes 

Finally, mealtimes can often be a time of the day when children especially want to watch their devices. Often, parents can use screens as a way to pacify their children at mealtimes to avoid them causing issues with the food they are eating or messing around. But this can be counterproductive. Instead, try and engage in conversation at mealtimes. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you reduce screen time in your home.