Effect of Mobile Phone Addiction on Child’s Mental Health
Mobile phone Addiction on child’s Mental health
Is your child always glued to the mobile phone? Do they check the phone for notification or are always chatting with friends and family or busy playing mobile games? Do they get cranky when you do not give them phones? If your answers are yes, then your kid is probably addicted to mobile phones. Mobile phone addiction is a common problem, and it is recognized amongst many children. It is affecting their eye sights, mental growth and to some extent, physical growth too.
What Can You Do to Prevent Your Child From Becoming Addicted?
The best way to prevent your child from becoming addicted to a cell phone is to limit their screen time. Most experts recommend limiting screen time for any electronic items. While it may be difficult for you, it is also healthy to allow your child to learn to cope with real life situations.
What Are the Signs Your Child is a Cell Phone Addict?
If your child is becoming addicted to a cell phone, they may constantly ask for the phone. If you do not give it to them, they may become angry, upset or have a temper tantrum. Children can become dependent on the cell phone and may not know what to do without it. This is to be expected, but as long as you stay firm and do not give in, they will find a new way to cope.
Cons of using mobile phones
- Behavioural problems(hyperactive, aggressive, anger)
- Addiction
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Obesity
- Delay in social development
- Attention and hearing issues.
Ways to make your child free from Phone addiction
Set boundaries: Parents should set some strict and clear limitations on the children to put in limit the usage of mobile phones.
Children learn from parents: Parents should themselves restrict themselves by not using mobile phones at a specific family time and weekend outings or family get-together.
Create NO-Mobile Phone zones: Try to use phones only in the living room and make sure, not to use mobile phones in the kitchen and the sleeping room premises.
Install specialized parenting apps: - Monitor your child’s device usage and block inappropriate content by using parental control software.
Spend real-time with children: Interact with your kids during fun activities or introduce an active family time. Please help them by letting them enjoy the original world, to get along without a cell phone and treasure the bliss of life.