Rapidly developing technology has a big impact on all of us, including children. Various types of gadgets with varying prices are circulating on the market. Cellphone (HP) or smartphones is one example of a gadget that is most widely owned and in demand by all groups.
Today’s children are the millennial generation who are literate and proficient in using technology. Not to be outdone by their parents, gadgets are a requirement for children too. From toddlers to elementary school, children have been given gadgets by their parents. It is a sad thing when children use gadgets at an early age without supervision from their parents.
Children use gadgets to watch videos, play games, take photos and use social media. The use of gadgets such as cellphones actually has positive and negative impacts on children. However, the positive impact of underage gadget use is only small. Some of the positive impacts of using gadgets include making it easier for parents to find out about their children’s news and conditions in real time, making communication easier and making children less technologically illiterate.
The negative impacts resulting from using gadgets at an early age are numerous and massive. The negative impacts include playing with gadgets such as smartphones will disturb the child’s emotions and psychology. Apart from that, playing with gadgets for a long period of time also disrupts children’s eye health. The more dangerous impact is that children lose their social environment, lose social sensitivity and develop into anti-social individuals who find it difficult to adapt in society.
We often see children whining and crying to be borrowed or bought a cellphone. Hunger strike and illness is one form of children’s protest against their parents so that their desire to play with gadgets is fulfilled. When these desires are not fulfilled, many children go on strike from school. You should be alert if there are any kinds of protests from your child. Excessive forms of child protest are symptoms of gadget addiction. The following is a powerful strategy for overcoming gadget addiction in children.
- Communication with children
As a technology-savvy millennial generation parent, you must know your child’s activities. Take just a few minutes of your time to ask your child what activities he did today. Respond when your child tells a story. You can also tell your child about your life when you were still his age. Be a good parent and friend to your child. A good listener is the key to eliminating loneliness and helping children develop communication with others.
- Limit use
Set the maximum time for your child’s gadget use. For example, in a day you give him time to play with gadgets for two hours. When using a gadget, you should keep a close eye on it. Explain to him how to use gadgets according to his needs and benefits.
- Playdate with peers
Peers have a big influence on the formation of children’s attitudes and character. Make sure your child is in a good environment. Encourage your child to play together with his peers. Boys can usually play soccer, basketball, marbles, volleyball and other sports with their peers. Meanwhile, girls can play with dolls, dress up, cook, cycle with their female friends. When playing with peers, children will forget their gadgets.
- Recreation
Your little family is a very valuable treasure. You can let go of all the fatigue of being a parent for a moment. Take your child to go for recreation in nature. You can invite him to come to the mountains, zoo, lake, flower garden to interact with nature and the environment. Recreation can build sensitivity and concern for the environment and nature. Recreation can also provide real happiness for children. You can also build closeness and warmth in your small family.
- Cultivating children’s potential
Find out your child’s potential. Develop its potential with practice. If you cannot help develop your child’s potential, enroll your child in a course or skills guidance according to their potential. Regular practice according to talent will provide special pleasure for children. Your child will be more busy developing his talents than playing with gadgets.
Hopefully this strategy can reduce and overcome children’s addiction to gadgets. Good luck and keep trying. Be wise parents and create a great generation.