Today in 2023, with displays nearly everywhere, it can be challenging to monitor an Indian child’s screen time. The issue is more complicated because some screen time can be educational and aid mainly in children’s social development. According to a survey done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the average time spent by various age groups:

• 8-10 years old: Six hours 
• 11-14 years old: Nine hours 
• 15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours

Kids’ screen time has increased by 50% during the pandemic time. You can assist your youngster to comprehend what they are seeing and use it in real life by watching with them. However, passive screen time should not take the place of problem-solving, playing, or reading. How, then, can you limit your child’s screen time? The following advice will help you manage your child’s media and screen use.

Setting guidelines for screen time:

Make sure the digital material is of high quality, and refrain from introducing it to infants under the age of 18 months. Limit screen time for kids between the ages of 2 and 5 to one hour of high-quality programs each day. A one-size-fits-all strategy is less effective as your child gets older. You must choose what media is appropriate for your child and how much they can use daily. Consider applying the same rules to your kid’s real and virtual environments. Think about enforcing the same guidelines in your child’s physical and digital environments. Play with your kids, instill kindness, get involved, and keep tabs on your kid’s friends and what they get up to. Also, remember that the quality of your child’s material matters more than the kind of gadget used or the amount of time spent.

Encouraging digital literacy:

Your child will eventually have access to tools without internet filters and content you have not approved. Discuss with your child the probable outcomes and the kind of behaviour you want to see. Encourage your child to evaluate what they see on their screens critically. Encourage your child to check the validity of everything they read on the internet. Does your child know how to evaluate a website’s credibility? Teach your child that individuals with opinions produce media. Describe the many data collection methods technology uses to send adverts to consumers or make money.

Avoiding using devices when eating, spending time with family, and going to bed:

Unless you are taking a long trip, avoid using screens in the car, and consider designating a screen-free zone for your family with a mutually agreed-upon curfew. The balance between online and offline time must be kept. Read our blog on teaching productivity skills to your kid.

Promoting the right behaviour:

Social media and online dating have substantially changed Indian children’s life. Experts claim that your teen is free to engage in these activities as long as they know proper behaviour. Talk to your children about acceptable and objectionable online behavior, such as cyberbullying, sharing private information, and more. Never send or share anything online with your child that you would not want everyone to see forever, instill this rule in them. No matter how sophisticated or intelligent you believe your child to be, keep an eye on their online and social media activity. Your child is bound to misuse media. Help your youngster learn from them by talking to them.