Screen time more tempting for today’s children than sweets

Digital first

This is the outcome of a recent study by cybersecurity company Norton by Symantec. Among almost 7,000 parents in Europe and the Middle East with children aged 5 to 16, it looked at the challenges facing the first generation of digital-first parents. Unlike these parents, their children have never known a world without smartphones and tablets. That is why today’s parents are navigating unknown territory, asking themselves at what age their children should be exposed to screen time and whether they should have a device of their own. Meanwhile, they are also becoming increasingly aware of their own habits and the possible effects on their children.

Modern parenting

“Modern parenting is not easy,” says Robert den Drijver, regional director Benelux & Nordics at Norton. “The challenges of getting children to eat their vegetables, go to bed on time and do their homework are still there. But there is now an extra layer parents have to navigate: technology. Unlike their children, most parents did not grow up with connected devices such as smartphones and tablets, so they struggle to set and enforce screen time rules.”

Screen time rules

The study also shows that children crave screen time on mobile devices more than sweets or other treats. Children spend more time behind a screen than outdoors, and more than a quarter of parents say their child or children even spend more time online than the parents themselves. In the countries surveyed, children spend on average more than two and a half hours of their free time on mobile devices. That is more than half an hour longer than they spend playing outside on average.

 

Responsibility

In the Netherlands, too, children can’t be dragged away from their mobile devices. Dutch children spend an average of 2 hours and 34 minutes of their free time on mobile devices every day, while they play outside for ‘only’ 1 hour and 55 minutes. More than half of Dutch parents believe that mobile technology and mobile devices can help children’s problem-solving and learning skills (54%), creativity (48%) and happiness (45%). Almost three quarters of parents (71%) think that children who are in charge of their own devices learn about responsibility that way.

Negative consequences

But it is not all good news, because parents are seriously worried about the possible negative consequences of device use. Almost half of Dutch parents (47%) say that screen time on mobile devices affects the quality of their child’s sleep. In the countries surveyed, parents are also generally concerned about the harmful effects of devices on energy levels (42%), social skills (40%) and mental health (37%).

Their own devices

These worries are only growing as children get their own devices at an ever younger age. The study shows that parents give in to their children’s pestering. In the countries surveyed, children get their first device at the age of nine on average, a year younger than parents think they are ready for it. In the Netherlands, children get their first device at ten on average. Here, Dutch parents do stand firm, as they generally think children are old enough for their first device at ten.

Setting a good example

Most parents try to enforce screen time rules, but admit they can be their own worst enemy because they feel they fail to set a good example. Half of Dutch parents (56%) say they spend too much time online, and more than 4 in 10 (42%) feel guilty about the amount of time they spend online. More than a third (38%) say they worry about not setting a good example. Almost a third of Dutch parents (29%) admit being told off by their own children for being online too much or at inappropriate moments.

Healthy screen routines

“Parents clearly see the benefits of mobile devices for their children, but they also want to apply healthy screen routines because they see the downsides smartphones and tablets can have on sleep and mental health,” says Den Drijver. “We all need to be aware of the amount of time we spend online and tackle the problem of excessive screen time, with parents setting a good example. We found that 39 percent of parents in the Netherlands already have tech-free times or days at home when everyone stays away from their gadgets. This offers a great opportunity to reassess our dependence on devices.”

The rules of traditional parenting have changed in the digital world.

Setting limits

The digital world constantly puts today’s parents on the spot. More than a third of Dutch parents (35%) say they want to set limits on the use of connected devices, but don’t know how. Almost half (44%) say they would like more advice and support to help them protect their children online. One in ten parents say they set no rules at all for device use. One of the reasons is that their children are so tech-savvy that they can get around the rules (35%). This is striking, since more than half of Dutch parents (56%) say their children are allowed to go online in their bedroom without parental supervision.

Being strict

The report also revealed that strictness about devices is increasing among younger parents in the Netherlands (48%) and parents of younger children aged 5 to 10. These parents are more likely to say they are strict compared with relatively older parents and those with older children aged 11 to 16. The study shows that parents are crying out for guidance in maintaining healthy screen routines. That is why some practical tips have been drawn up to help parents manage devices better:

Set rules and guidelines. Think of limiting screen time, the kind of content children can consume and appropriate online language. These rules should vary depending on age, maturity and understanding of the risks children may face online.

Encourage your children to go online in shared spaces. It is important to strike a balance between looking over their shoulder and not making the child feel they have to hide to go online. You feel more at ease about what they are up to, and at the same time children can come to their parents when they are confused, scared or worried.

Have an open conversation with your children. Talk to them about internet use and their experiences, including cyberbullying and digital dangers.

Teach your children to think before they click. Whether it is online video websites, receiving an unknown link in an email or surfing the web, remind children not to click on links that take them to dangerous or inappropriate websites. Clicking an unknown link is a common way to get a virus or have personal or valuable information stolen.

Watch out for harmful content. From websites to apps, games and online communities, children have access to a lot of content that can influence them both positively and negatively. Using smart family safety and parental control software can help keep the family safe online.

Discuss the risks of posting and sharing personal information, in particular posting and sharing photos and videos on social media.

Set a good example. Children are often inclined to imitate their parents’ behaviour, so show them how it should be done.

Use strong and reliable security software, to protect children and devices against malicious websites, viruses, phishing and other online threats designed to steal personal and financial information.

Source: Customertalk.nl