International Schools in Sholinganallur

Learn How International Schools Reduce Smartphone Addiction

The world is getting more compact! One-click can accomplish anything. Who would have imagined that the epidemic would make learning and education digital? But dealing with these problems has come as a result of this. One of them is that young people get addicted to their smartphones. International Village School is one of the best international schools in Sholinganallur, which conducts seminars for children teaching the good and adverse effects of a smartphone so that they become aware of the addiction consequences. Let us discuss a few tips on reducing smartphone addiction in the article below.

Effects of Smartphone Addiction

According to addiction studies, an average mobile phone user touches their phone 2,617 times a day. 2,617 times! Isn't that intense? On average, people use their phones for three hours and fifteen minutes everyday. The effects of phone addiction in children are:

  • Staggering

  • Short-term memory

  • Impairing problem-solving skills

  • Affecting sleep patterns

  • Emotional discomfort

  • Recovering emotionally with less speed

  • Delayed social development

  • Increased attention and hearing problems

  • Behavioural difficulties

  • Weight gain

  • Depression.

Strategies to Decrease Smartphone Addiction Amongst Kids

Keeping our children away from cell phones in today's digital age is challenging. Recently, tablets and smartphones have become crucial learning aids for children. Although necessary and beneficial in today's environment, they can negatively affect a child's development. Keeping smartphone addiction unchecked will result in a nasty, sluggish, and perhaps brooding youngster, as devices will only gradually permeate our lives more and more.

Here are some strategies to decrease our children's smartphone addiction:

Encouraging Physical Activities

Children have a lot of energy, which must be used wisely. Make sure they engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, dancing, or stretching for a few minutes between jobs. Screen breaks are necessary, and integrating physical activity makes it more enjoyable and interesting.

Conducting Restoration Experiment

Children tend to use their phones more and more when not explicitly limited. It is usually carried out covertly and unintentionally. You and your child must agree to limit smartphone use to only two activities during the specified 30-day period (for example, calling and texting). It will take time, but it will help you balance with other goals in life.

Developing a Media Strategy

A family media plan encourages limiting unrestricted media intake and introduces a methodical approach to teaching your child how to use media appropriately. Setting sufficient time helps parents monitor and control how much time their children spend on technology and prevent unauthorized use of smartphones. Setting a schedule also encourages routines, discouraging children from spending more time in front of screens. Nowadays, smartphones are an indispensable part of our lives, making it difficult to monitor or keep them away from children. Additional considerations are:

  1. Use your phone sparingly when your child is around

  2. Avoid cell phones during meals

  3. Refrain mobile usage before bed

  4. Do not give in to your child's excessive demands

The following are some phone settings suggestions that are frequently made to decrease smartphone addiction:

  1. Turn off notifications

  2. Make the screen black and white

  3. Get distracting apps off your home screen

  4. Make your password longer

  5. When necessary, switch to airplane mode

  6. Enable the do not disturb settings

  7. Keep the phone charging in a different room

List of Dos & Don'ts for Children Regarding Smartphone Usage

Children can benefit a lot from smartphones in terms of education. Complete abstinence is not recommended. Here, moderation is crucial. Avoid using cell phones as a reward for your emotions. Many parents use screen time to motivate their children to study or do their homework, but this practice can do more harm than good.

Children's emotional and social development improves when there is two-way communication. Children can express themselves freely if there is an open line of communication and a safe environment to trust. It is equally crucial to educate children about the pros and cons of phone use and the negative consequences of addiction.

Children learn both by seeing and by doing. They see their parents' behaviour and imitate it. You can spend more time with your children by limiting cell phone use. These meetings are vital as they help create a strong relationship and bond between parents and children.

The Bottom-line

Smartphones, like most devices, have advantages and disadvantages. They can be harmful as well as instructive. Research shows that face-to-face interaction with family, children, and friends greatly influences a child's healthy development. Don't let your child become absorbed with media and technology. Reach out to International Village School, one of the best international schools in Sholinganallur, which offers a lot of engaging activities, interactive sessions, and outdoor programs for students, helping children break the habit of watching screens.

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