Khaberni - The results of an American survey conducted by a Children’s Specialty Hospital at the University of Michigan revealed that 83% of parents believe that the mental health of children in the United States is deteriorating.
According to the American "CNBC" network website, many blame screens, with three-quarters of survey participants pointing out that the use of social media and electronic devices, in general, is a major problem for American youth, while 66% specifically pointed to internet safety.
Health and science journalist, Catherine Price, who is a mother of a 10-year-old girl, agrees with the other parents’ views, saying, "Every minute that children spend in front of screens is a minute they do not acquire real skills, real relationships, or real experiences."
Price recently collaborated with Jonathan Haidt, author of "The Coddling of the American Mind," to write a book about children's use of screens and social media in the pre-teen years. The book is titled "The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a World Full of Screens."
The book includes some suggestions for parents who want to limit their children's use of electronic devices, and the recommendations include the following:
1. Be a good role model
Price says, "It will be easier to limit your children's screen time if they see you trying to improve your own habits." Experts agree that being a good role model in the behavior you want your children to embody is a key element in shaping their personalities.
Writer Theo Wolf, who specializes in parenting methods, said in a recent article on the American "CNBC" network site: "A father should think about the person he wants his child to become. He should ask himself: Does he display these qualities in front of him? And is there anything he does that contradicts the values he wants to instill in them?" He could even allow his child to hold him accountable for excessive use of his phone or computer.
2. Shared family phones
Rather than giving each child their own phone, you can ensure a number of shared family phones are available. Price suggests using a landline to help children develop communication skills and encouraging them to use it to check on their grandparents or chat with their friends. A simple family phone can also be provided for use after school or when visiting friends. Price explains that the family phone can be "taken, used, and then returned."
3. Financial responsibility
Price supports delaying the purchase of smartphones for children until they are at least sixteen years old, which is also recommended by psychologist Jean Twenge. If parents wish to delay it longer, they can tell their children that they must pay for their smartphones themselves. Price says, "If they realize their financial responsibility for it, it is likely that they will not acquire it until they reach the age of twenty-five." Additionally, this decision can help "teach them important lessons about working hard to achieve goals."
