Book the first
What matters is not the number of hours in front of a screen, but what fills them
It is impossible, and unnecessary, to remove gadgets from a modern child's life completely. It is far more productive to teach children to use screen time mindfully.
Passive and active screen time
Psychologists divide screen time into passive, such as endless feeds and videos, and active, when a child creates something: draws, edits video, codes or builds projects. Active time develops thinking and does not cause “digital fatigue”.
Simple rules for the family
- agree on a schedule in advance, not in the middle of a conflict;
- offer an alternative: not “turn off the game” but “try making your own”;
- take an interest in what your child does on screen;
- set an example of mindful gadget use;
- keep screen-free time: walks, sport and family games.
The screen as a tool for development
An hour spent creating your own game or website brings more benefit than an hour of passive scrolling. Programming lessons help children see the computer not only as entertainment but also as a tool for creativity.