Sign the deal for a better Digital Wellness
Sign the deal for better digital wellness - A guide to screen time contracts.
“Kids should go out and play” is a phrase heard time and again from parents and grandparents. Leading research has shown that excessive use and over-dependence on technology, especially in young children, can cause sleep deprivation, tension/anxiety, and their overall ability to focus. There are benefits to technology, but if a child glued to the screen is your problem, then screen time contracts might just be the solution you need, which is far better than imposing rules and restrictions on kids that they seldom follow.
Screen time contracts are agreements that a family deliberates and creates together that define the boundaries regarding technology and screen use at home by all family members. Establishing these contracts can teach young adults and growing pre-teens to have a healthier relationship with technology. These contracts go much beyond rules on the number of hours of screen use but instead also focus on when, how, and where to use screens. It is holistic in its approach. It can prove to be an educational agreement between children and parents to create a harmonious use of digital media without it feeling like a punishment. By employing methods like positive reinforcement for unplugging from technology, using technology in a healthy way, and encouraging digital literacy parents can come one step closer to raising a digitally well child. According to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, screen time for youth aged 2 to 5 years of age should not exceed 60 minutes a day and those aged 5-10 years should have a screen time of fewer than 120 minutes. In a 2018 study, it was found that adolescents in New Delhi had an average screen time of 3.8 hours each day. A study after the pandemic recorded that the average screen time was up by 2 hours. So, how does one begin making a screen time contract?
The most important aspect of creating a screen time contract is the dialog it fosters between family members. It is the opportunity to talk about the daily use and need for screens and understand why it is essential to use screens in the right manner which helps them to thrive in the Digital World while also taking care of their physical and mental health. It also creates an agreement between different members of the family and creates a set of guidelines that everyone will follow. Some ideas for the different rules you can add to your screen time contract-
No screen zones
Negotiating when devices and screens will be turned off and put away. Some times are when eating meals or when having family time.
Digital “Show and Tell”
Talking about different things that each member is exploring on the internet fosters curiosity and educational learning through the internet instead of just using screens for entertainment.
Turning off screen before sleep
It is recommended to turn off screens at least 2 hours prior to going to bed for a good night's sleep. The blue light from the screens interferes with sleep cycles and the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Instead, indulge in activities that do not require screens.
Agreement on online safety
Decide on what to do when cyberbullying takes place and create a safe space where children can come and share their concerns regarding their experiences online.
It is essential that the screen time contract is seen as a team effort and no person regardless of age, is excused from these set guidelines. In case of breaching these rules, try to encourage conversation and focus more on creating a lifestyle around it rather than creating a rigid set of rules that are senselessly followed. Doing so would create digitally literate citizens who have healthy digital habits ingrained. Promoting a balanced approach to screen time and digital consumption, along with explaining what this balanced approach is will also increase the likelihood of children being able to follow through with these habits even later in life. Kids generally crave structure and stability, and instead of creating a culture of rules and punishment, create a culture around a balanced approach to screen time while also empowering them to become responsible digital citizens.
Attached below is an example of a screen time contract. You can add or remove clauses from them according to your own needs and post them near the computer or TV for constant visibility for the whole family.
Creating these contracts can help your family deal with problems that children face online in a healthier way by having a plan of action on how to tackle technology-related issues if they arise. It can be a great way to instill healthy lifestyle habits that last a lifetime, unlike rules that are looked at in disdain. Screen time contracts can be a sustainable practice when it comes to taking care of your family's digital well-being. What is stopping you then? Make the agreement to lead a healthier life, as a family.
-Chaitanya Nair & Rijul Arora
