Part 1 – How do you find Balance ?
Would you believe that many children would actually prefer to have the guidance of rules when it comes to social media management.
Even 6 year old’s understand that excessive television viewing, You-tube videos and gaming are depriving them of the opportunity to engage with others and lead healthy lives.
It may surprise you how many children would love to take a break and have an alternative to social media.
Setting and maintaining limits can be difficult for parents and I can understand that since life can be so stressful at times that sometimes we want to hand them their devices without limits so we can take a break.
We make the rules then we are frustrated because of too much time on devices, we break the rules, stressing ourselves as parents and our children because they are left confused and angry. Due to the unmanaged use of technology, it got out of hand ! We completely banned it with the phrase “ you are grounded “ which confuses and upsets your child.
So why is striking a balance important ? We are merely stating that social media and technology can be harmful if equilibrium is not established in the home, as there are numerous advantages to it and no one is disputing that technology and media is inherently dangerous. Although technology can be soothing and educational, many children use it to combat boredom.
As Dr Eitan Schwarz quotes “Parents should manage their children’s media consumption just like they do nutrition; not with complete restriction, but educated consumption”