Comments on: A Simple Trick to Limit Screen Time – And Get a Happier Kid, Too

By: PurplePikmeister

PurplePikmeister

In reply to Nancy.

Take it from a child. This is horrible advice. The whole thing about “I’m not your friend, I’m your mother” is total rubbish. We want your companionship, your love. Also, about this whole article, there are two things I would like to point out.
1. Most adults are constantly on their phones. As it says in the bible, “Don’t look at the fleck in someone else’s eye while ignoring the log in yours.”
2. Tech is so ingrained in the modern world that taking it away so much is damaging to their social and emotional wellbeing.
Parents with children ages 10-14, please heed my words, and take caution with advice from boomers.
Lukewarm regards,
PurplePikmeister

By: Sonia

Sonia

I completely love this and agree. While I have not been so structured, my approach has been similar. Firstly, my son has to earn ‘gaming’ screen time by reading for similar time. Further he gets ‘extra’ time for solving Math, English & GK puzzles on BrainGymJr.com or app. He now has holistic fun and learning time beyond school and physical play!

By: Luiza

Luiza

Hi, this is a very good idea! What would you do with YouTube? It’s really tough to stop once my boys start watching it…

By: Heather @ Strong With Grace

Heather @ Strong With Grace

Aw that’s a great story Kelly! I have noticed that too– that my kids get super cranky after using the iPad. My limits have fluctuated depending on the season, but when I slip and let them go too long, I pay. LOL. Thanks for the reminder!

By: Lille Nord

Lille Nord

“Confession: I use the iPad as a babysitter.” This is such a brave thing to write these days. I know this is not a great thing, but everybody does it sometimes.

By: Sabrina

Sabrina

Hi. How did you set a timer on the iPad??? I can’t figure it out.

By: Jessica Erwin

Jessica Erwin

In reply to Shawna. I also feel that do something because "I said so!" Is a rather unfortunate way to "teach" your child. And then wonder why they overindulge as adults.

By: Android Kiosk Mode

Android Kiosk Mode

Well written Kelly, appreciate your time and efforts in explaining how to improve the quality in mobile usage for kids. We provide a solution where parents can easily monitor and control the mobile devices right from their laptop or desktop by setting the devices(be it mobile phones or tablets) in kiosk mode.

By: MomOfTwo2000

MomOfTwo2000

I am reading “Irresistible ” by Adam Alder. His opening chapter reveals that Steve Jobs (think Apple products) spent 90 minutes touting the iPad at it’s launch. When asked how much use his children were permitted for electronics his reply was None. They are not healthy and too addictive. Several other moguls were asked the same question and gave the same reply. That’s enough for me.

By: Amanda

Amanda

I love the story and the idea. For now, my kids can have their tablets but only if they spend two hours playing outside after playing on their tablet for an hour. However, when they start going to school my method may be a bit problematic. I’ll try to implement your idea, just to see how it goes.

By: Shawna

Shawna

In reply to Nancy. I think it's just fine to explain the reasoning behind the rules. It doesn't mean they have to agree but I think knowing the why will help them make decisions when they're older and don't have someone telling them what to do.

By: Shannon Betts

Shannon Betts

I love this idea! I especially like the way you used the concrete imagery of brain food vs junk food and involved your daughter in the process of choosing the media she would keep.

By: Lee Licata

Lee Licata

Please help because I don’t understand exactly what this item does. I wish I could see it in action as I do see a child on the floor was some sort of padding but I don’t know how it correlates to me as the reader or to a screen or anything I am Clueless. Anybody able to help me and better understand what this does? Thank you, Lee

By: Suzanne

Suzanne

I like the way you are talking to your kids about the reasons behind your rules. Our kids will eventually grow up and have to make their own decisions so it’s important we give them some guidance. I have always limited screen time with mine and it has also given me more time and more memories of the time spent together as well.

By: Mandyand3

Mandyand3

I have 3 kids aged 10 8 and 5 with the youngest having verbal dyspraxia. Screentime is wednesday afternoon after school and one day of the weekend. They share between them a ps4, galaxy Tab and laptop. 30 mins on 30 mins off and swap between platforms . Playstore or appstore is locked and I download all content. Youtube is parental locked to pg only. Also have never given my child my phone to play with or entertainment.

By: Amber

Amber

Thanks so much for these tips! The most helpful part for me was the way you -calmly- discussed how and why with your daughter. My challenge is not to react to my 7-year old son’s emotion when we broach the screen time topic! Thank you so much for sharing!

By: Fenn

Fenn

In reply to Fenn. *off base

By: Fenn

Fenn

You know, this is a good idea, IN THEORY, but you’re way of fun base about Angry Birds. Angry Birds requires problem solving skills, spatial relations, and fine motor skills. Probably you should get a little more educated before you decide what is junk and what isn’t.

By: John

John

Imagine that. Once you take out all of the apps she thinks are fun she doesn’t fight to get on the iPad. Of course you have sucked all the fun out of it. Using tech only for learning, what a great way to suck the joy of technology from them early. Stop trying to engineer the perfect kid. Let them have sometime to choose what they want. Let them be bored sometimes too. They have 16 hours a day to do all the organized learning you can think of. How about looking at clouds for half an hour. What about daydreaming should we limit that to only road trips. Give your kids some space and the ability to choose what they want to do. Maybe it’s playing in the mud and rain. Just get out of their way and let them explore.

By: Jane

Jane

In reply to Ginger Arrington. I am in the same boat and I am also very interested in your replies