Screen Addiction: Parent Child Influence
Screen Addiction: Parent Child Influence
Research has revealed that 1 in 4 adults and adolescents are engaged in Problematic Screen Use and are vulnerable to developing Screen Addiction. Adolescents report that they use their screens more than 8 hours per day. Many admit that they check their social media “constantly.” If you are concerned that your children are on their screens too frequently, rest assured there are many ways parents can intervene.
Parents’ screen use has a significant impact on their children’s digital behavior. Parents who use their screens excessively influence their children to follow suit. Studies demonstrate that screen addicted parents are more likely to have screen addicted children. If we are honest, most of us parents would have to admit that we check our phones too often, spend too much time on our laptops, and can let hours go by scrolling through social media. If we want better for our children, we must be willing to teach by example.
So, I ask all of us parents to rally together in tackling my 4T Challenge. In order to protect your children from screen addiction would you join me in limiting and/or ceasing your screen use in these areas:
While at the dinner or bedside Table
While driving in Traffic
While on or near the Toilet, and
While Talking face to face with your family?
I’ve personally been working at this challenge for over a year. Using my phone by my bedside table at night while winding down was the most difficult T for me. The entire challenge is easier said than done, but my children notice and comment on the difference! If we are willing to keep these 4T areas clear of screen use, we are setting a worthy example for our children to follow and we are clearing room to invest in relationship with them. Families who engage in conversation during meal time have stronger relationships long-term and are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior onscreen or offscreen. So, parents, let’s not allow our own screens to interfere with that precious mealtime interaction.
Let me know if you will join me and tell me which of the 4T’s will be most difficult for you. Please share this blog with a friend whose family could benefit from it.
Reference:
Li, H., Luo, W., & He, H. (2022). Association of Parental Screen Addiction with Young Children's Screen Addiction: A Chain-Mediating Model. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(19), 12788. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912788
