Hi Hive Lovers
Nowadays, you can easily find children having fun with smartphones in their hands.
Even fewer parents intentionally allow their children to use smartphones without supervision, which can be considered neglect, right?
Many things have changed in the way children interact because parents are less focused on monitoring their children's activities. Parents because they are busy are more likely to use the concept of "entertainment parenting," which makes their children "busy alone" so as not to interfere with their parents' activities. Consciously or not, this has degraded the value of social interaction lessons as life capital when they grow up.
This is the concern of many parents these days. Children's exposure to smartphone use has reached an alarming level, one reason being "unbearable" parents. Finally, their children become dependent on smartphones, and this is very dangerous.
This paper is not to look at the causes of children using smartphones but to invite all of us to pay attention to the negative effects they cause. You must be motivated by your child's development and best interests, right?
One cannot argue that there are many possible negative effects that can be experienced by children if using smartphones for too long. At least our conscience will refuse if children use smartphones.
No one can resist the development of the times. This is the age of technological sophistication, and children must also be able to adapt to the developments of this era.
We agree to pay attention to things that can damage children's growth and development. In this case, we need to limit children by making rules and time management for their smartphone use.
What should we do?
Create and agree on rules
The effectiveness of a rule that applies to children is the result of an agreement with them. We can explain in a language that children can understand the functions, uses, and negative effects of things, including smartphones.
Because children are the best imitators, we, as parents, must also try to comply with these mutually agreed rules.
I have some rules for using a smartphone that I agreed on with my child. Hopefully, this article can be an illustration for all of you, and, of course, you have to adapt it to your own needs, as follows:
Time
You and your child should have an agreement that stipulates when they can use the smartphone and for how long.
You can make an agreement about time by adjusting your child's habits and needs. For example, during school holidays or in the afternoon after he played with his friends.
You should also consider your own time so that you can do it together while giving directions to your child when he uses the smartphone.
The Place
You and your child should also have an agreement stipulating where they can use the smartphone.
Setting a special place using a smartphone will limit the child to only using it in certain places. Of course you don't want your child to use their smartphone at the dinner table or in bed, do you?
Content
You and your child must also have an agreement that regulates what content or applications are eligible for access.
Because your child is a smart child, he can download any application and can search for certain content that pleases him. You are not smarter than your child regarding the sophistication of your smartphone.
You and your child can also agree that he or she must first obtain permission to be able to download certain apps. You must ensure that everything is safe for you and your child. Don't let problems arise later.
Accompaniment
You and your child should also have an agreement that governs your involvement as an adult when he or she uses a smartphone.
When you accompany children, then everything will be in your control. There's everything in there, right?
This deal will allow you to sift through everything a child is worth seeing or knowing. The sacrifice of your time to accompany them will save them themselves. All parents want the best for their children.
Besides that, mentoring will also improve the quality of your time together with your child. You will interact with them a lot, even when they are having fun with their smartphone. It will be very pleasant for your company.
In addition to mutual agreement, you should also periodically monitor what your child has accessed on their smartphone. This is very important so that you can control their development and you, as a parent, will be able to anticipate things that you do not want.
One thing that is more important is that you, as a parent, must be able to provide an example in carrying out the agreement that you have made together. They will take an example from their parents. If you violate them, they will also do the same.
No one can resist the development of the times. This is the age of advanced technology, and children must also be able to adapt to the developments of this era.
However, it would be better if you did not give access to the use of smartphones to your children before they deserved it. There are many other fun activities for children to do.
