Setting Limits:
- Set time limit per day for total screen time, and gradually allow the child more control over how they allocate that time.
- Set a specific time, or set of times, when the computer can be used.
- No computer use after a certain time.
- No technology at the dinner table.
- How to Cut Children’s Screen Time? Say No to Yourself First
Developing Time Management:
- Daily work schedule planning
- Use a kitchen timer to help students understand how long they’ve been online. Set a reasonable amount of time, and put the computer away afterward. It only takes a few times with this technique before the amount of time becomes routine.
- Make use of apps that help build time management skills like:
Take Advantage of Tech Breaks:
Research shows that knowing you have specific time set aside to check social networking sites actually helps students focus better, so Dr. Larry Rosen recommends 25 minutes of homework time, then 5 minutes of a tech break, then study again.
Family Agreements:
- sign a contract between parents and children with clear and agreed consequences for breaking the agreement
- laptops only in family areas, not in isolated areas like the bedrooms
- encourage your child to meet their friends in person
- encourage social time with the family on a fixed schedule
- Common Sense Media: Family Agreement
- Make room for #realtime (PSAs from Common Sense Media)
- Technology Family Contract
Monitoring:
- regular monitoring of comments made/received
- checking the browser history regularly
Regular and open conversations with your child are always the best way to make these strategies successful.
Some further resources: