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5 ways to control technology addiction in children

"Technology - a boon or bane" - it depends on your usage! Technology has tied many people together across different locations and age groups but it comes with its own demerits. A mass number of people does not realize when they have engulfed themselves into this so much that they have become addicted to it. Children depend on technology for a variety of things starting from waking up by alarm, playing games to sleeping off using social media sites. Technology has replaced their morning newspaper, restricted their outdoor activity and quality time with family members. Research shows that more than 30% of children under the age of 2 have used a tablet or smartphone and 75% of kids age 8 and younger live with one or more mobile devices in the home. Due to its frequent usage, the creativity and imaginations of our youth are left idle, and their opportunities to achieve optimal motor and sensory development are diminished. Compounding the problem, children react with defiance, disobedience, and in some cases, violence when parents try to limit or stop screen time.

This can be prevented by the using the following means: 

1. Setting a time limit

By fixing a certain number of hours to be spent by children can decrease their usage. This will also ensure that they use it for a restricted number of activities such as for learning and reading. It will foster growth & development and cut down the time spent on playing games. This can be modulated by rewards and punishment. For every good behavior such as completing work on time, spending hours playing outdoor games, eating a healthy diet etc a reward in the form of some extra time can be awarded. On the other hand, if a child has not completed his/her homework on time, doesn’t play outdoor games and consumes more junk than nutritious food, some amount of time can be cut down through this punishment. 

2. Using the technique of token economy

Token economy involves the exchange of behavior in the form of tokens which can later be exchanged for anything else. A healthy behavior could be given 5 tokens and then 20 or 50 tokens can be exchanged. A child reasons in terms of quantity rather than rationalizes the decisions, so in the rush for more and more tokens, he or she will engage in healthy practices. 

Both these techniques might increase the time provided to them but it will increase healthy behavior and will keep them occupied such that they will not have idle hours to spend engrossed in technology. In a way, it will make their lifestyle healthy, restrict their usage and de-addict their addiction. 

3. Self-control

The number of hours spent by parents and caregivers also influences the child’s addiction to it. If a child notices that his or her parents are spending more time and using technology for every single thing then they will naturally have that kind of attitude. The usage should be limited to only certain things rather than using it for trivial issues. 

4. Keeping them occupied/busy

The more engaged the children are in other activities, the less time they’ll spend whiling away time in smartphones or tablets. Research says that the number of hours spent in technology is directly proportional to the number of idle hours. When they are busy in other activities, they don’t have time to waste on technology products. 

5. By using the technique of aversive conditioning

By instilling the dangerous impact of technology such as weakening of eyesight, lowering down the level of concentration, damage due to vibrations and radiations emitted by the gadgets on the brain and development of children, obesity etc can develop a sort of aversion towards these gadgets. 

So, in all, technology can make you feel handicapped or be your crutches. One can use it for daily issues only to the extent that she/he is not completely dependent on it. Interventions can be done to live a healthy life. It is important for a parent to keep a check on the time spent by the child using technology and the content that she or he has access to.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of mycity4kids. Any omissions or errors are the author's and mycity4kids does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.