technology-addiction

Are You Making Your Kids Addicts Without Even Knowing It?

Studies are calling screens digital heroin and electronic cocaine. Brain imaging research shows that screens affect the portion of the brain that controls functioning and impulse control, and it does this the same way cocaine does. Translation: When you see scans of a drug addict’s brain and the brain of a kid who uses screens, you can’t tell the difference.

When you give your kids access to screens, you are giving them something that impacts the way their brains function, even their abilities to control their impulses. This negative impact of screens should at least make us think twice about giving them unlimited access and free reign. Here are the 4 steps to remedying this technology addiction in your kids.

1. Have a screen detox.

It takes about a month to detox from any addiction. I have to say in our personal experience, that’s dead on. We’ve had to do a TV detox before, and it’s about four weeks before things are back to normal. I suggest doing the same, especially if you are at that point where you are having troubles with your kids that just aren’t the typical challenges.

Set screen detox boundaries with your kids and honor those boundaries. If an exception has to be made for schoolwork, give guidance, and set a timer. And when the detox is over, don’t go right back to giving them the same access that caused the need for a detox in the first place.

When you see scans of a drug addict’s brain and one of a kid who uses screens, you can’t tell the difference.

2. Limit screen time.

Our kids aren’t allowed to have screens during the week except for a couple of educational shows after they’ve completed their daily schoolwork.

If your kids are using screens for their schoolwork, then this becomes especially crucial. Set a limit for your kids (besides the necessary amount of schoolwork), and see how their creativity and behavior improve.

3. Limit screen locations.

Additionally, their screen use is confined to a public room in our house. This means no phone charging in their bedrooms overnight, laptops are used in the living room, and so on. Being consistent with this is important. This also gives you the opportunity to monitor their use and will curb any usage that isn’t approved.

Occasionally, over the summer, we got a little too relaxed in some of these areas, and it became a battle to get them back in their regular routine and habits of limited screen use. Avoid this mistake with your kids.

4. Create alternative screen options.

We recently started this with our sons, ages 6 and 10. We started with Uno cards. Now, when they get bored we’ll find them laughing and playing a game of Uno. We even taught our youngest son how to work on his math facts using Uno cards. Additionally, they have an over-the-door hanging basketball hoop to play with when they get tired, a stack of books from the library always nearby, and a cabinet full of board games.

Remember, our screen as children was being outdoors. So, send them outside to play. It’s a scary thought to think that you could be giving your child something that is leading them to become an addict. I encourage you to make a change for the sake of your child’s health.

Sound off: Do you think your kids are developing technology addiction? How have you been dealing with it?

Huddle up with your wife and figure out 5 alternatives to screen time for your kids.