There’s no denying that smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. These little gadgets have transformed everything from how we communicate to how we learn and entertain ourselves. While they make life more convenient and offer a lot of advantages, they also bring challenges, especially for young kids and teenagers. As teachers and parents, it’s essential to help guide children towards healthy smartphone habits. Here are a few ways to do this.
For Younger Children (Elementary School)
During elementary school years, it’s important to set guidelines early to establish healthy smartphone habits. Children at this stage are very impressionable and have the ability to absorb any routines or behaviors that adult’s model for them. Here are a few guidelines to help set the foundation.
Limit Screen Time
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends children ages two to five limit non-educational screen time to one hour per day during the weekdays and three hours per day on the weekends. For children ages six and older they recommend limiting activities that include screens.
Choose Educational Content
When screen time is allowed, choose educational content. Apps like Khan Academy Kids and ABCmouse are tailored to young children and designed to make learning fun. Other options include Toca Boca which encourages creativity and Prodigy Math which incorporates math skills into an adventure game. These educational platforms make screen time fun and informative.
Use Parental Controls
Parental control features are designed to monitor and limit access to inappropriate content. Most smartphones come with built-in settings that allow you to restrict certain apps, websites, and screen time durations. Be sure to utilize these features to ensure children engage with age-appropriate content. Review and adjust these settings as children grow to ensure that you are keeping up with the recommended age-appropriate guidelines.
Model Behavior
Children at this age are like sponges, they absorb everything they see and hear, that’s why it’s essential to model responsible smartphone behavior. To do this, show them how smartphones are used for things like learning or staying in touch with family. Discuss how taking breaks and engaging in fun, physical activities and face-to-face interactions is important. When you need to look something up, do it in front of the children and explain why you are doing it and why it was necessary. By modeling behavior, you are setting a good example and teaching them to use a smartphone as a tool rather than a distraction.
Designate Tech-Free Times
Both parents and teachers can designate tech-free time to encourage children to engage in other activities. Teachers can create tech-free zones or plan for specific times of the day for students to engage in hands-on activities or creative projects. Parents can establish no screen rules during dinnertime, before bedtime, or during family time. By consistently enforcing these times children will learn the importance of screentime balance.
For Tweens & Teens (Middle & High School)
As children move into their tween and teen years, the amount of time they spend on their smartphones increases. According to a 2020 report by Common Sense Media, 53 percent of 11-year-olds and 69 percent of 12-year-olds in the United States have their own smartphones. This time is critical to reinforce healthy smartphone habits so they will develop a balanced approach to using technology. Here are a few tips on how to do this.
Have Open Conversations
Maintain open communication with teens. Discuss topics like cyberbullying and online threats. Explain how social media can affect their health. Please encourage them to share any online experiences, even those from friends. These conversations should make them feel safe. Offer support and guidance as needed and remind them that they can always ask you questions or voice concerns.
Teach Digital Literacy
It’s imperative to teach both tweens and teens about the digital footprint they leave behind whenever they use technology. Explain to kids how everything they contribute online can be traced back to them. Show them how to evaluate the content they create and view as well as how to adjust their privacy settings.
Discuss Screentime Balance
Guide children in prioritizing their responsibilities over screen time. Ensure they understand the importance of a balanced lifestyle where homework, sleep, and activities that don’t involve screens are of more importance. Help teens understand how to manage their time to help reduce their reliance on digital activities.
Promote Social Interactions
Teens must understand that face-to-face interactions take precedence over virtual ones. Discuss how real-life interactions are imperative for developing their social skills as well as their emotional intelligence.
Model Balanced Screentime Use
Just as with elementary school children, teens look to adults to model appropriate behavior. Demonstrate a balanced approach to smartphone use by showing how you use your phone for productive activities such as learning new things, staying organized, and for work. By setting a positive example you will help teens understand the importance of a balanced lifestyle so they will develop their own healthy screentime habits.
Considerations for All Age Groups
Create a Screentime Agreement
Consider establishing a screentime use plan. In the classroom, teachers can create a plan for when and how smartphones can be used. For example, only for educational purposes and must be shut off during lessons. Parents can create a tech plan outside the classroom that may include no phones during dinner, homework, or before bed. Both teachers and parents should enlist the help of children and teens when making the rules to foster a sense of responsibility.
Encourage Mindful Tech Habits
Teach children and teens to be mindful of their screen time. Teach them how to set reminders to take breaks and reflect on how much they’ve used their phones. Emphasize the importance of meaningful interactions and purposeful use of technology rather than mindless scrolling or game-playing.
Guiding children and teens toward healthy smartphone habits requires a careful, thoughtful approach. Teachers and parents can help young people navigate the digital world safely and effectively by establishing early guidelines, maintaining open communication, and modeling responsible behavior. As we embrace the benefits of technology, we should teach our youth how to use it wisely, to ensure they develop and stay healthy.
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