Six genius hacks to stop your kids staring at their phones all day and losing nine hours’ sleep a week
MOST parents are guilty too – but forever worry their kids spend too long on their phones.
Shocking new research has found many ten-year-olds are losing out on eight to nine hours of sleep a week – equal to a full night – because they are glued to social media and other sites.
Around 70 per cent who took part in the study reckoned these sites consume them for about four hours a day – with half of that just before bedtime.
But how can you wean your little addicts off this habit?
Emma Pietras has some tips . . .
Practise what you preach
KIDS copy their parents so if you’re glued to your smartphone 24/7 then it’s hypocritical to be yelling at them to get off theirs.
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Try a family digital detox, even if it’s just for a few hours, where you play a boardgame and leave your phones in a drawer in the other room so you’re not tempted.
Switch phone to greyscale
SOCIAL media is designed to give users waves of euphoria – in the same way fruit machines do.
But endless scrolling through these platforms suddenly becomes less appealing when everything is black and white.
And it’s easy to do this to your child’s phone – got to settings and switch to greyscale.
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Screen time countdown
DECIDE on the amount of screen time you allow your little one, then set up a digital timer on a counter where everyone can see. Once the time is up, the phone goes away.
They may not like it, but you’re the parent and set the rules. Even if they scream that you’re the worst parent, be consistent so they know there’s no way round it.
Ration social media
MANY kids are on multiple social media platforms, so make them choose just one. Change the password to this account to one only you know and delete other accounts.
Then disable their phone’s ability to download apps without your consent. Next, help your child edit their followers on that account to only people they know in real life.
Use a ‘containment’ station
GET your child to hand over their phone at a set time each evening – at least a few hours before bed so they unwind.
Use a kitchen worktop as a “containment station” for it, and say they can’t touch it until the next day.
If you fear they’ll sneak down in the night, put it in a Tupperware box and hide this. Set penalties such as chores, or cutting pocket money.
Keep them busy
BOREDOM is often a reason for mindlessly looking at your phone, so try to keep your children busy in the evenings.
Get them to help you in the kitchen with cooking tea.
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Or if they’re older enough challenge them to make a simple meal themselves.
It’s a win-win situation.