Screen Time And Children: A Guide For Parents

Are your kids spending to much time on devices ?

Let's explore some helpful options to stop the screen time battle

Adverse Effects of Too Much Screen Time for Children:

Decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior.

Poor sleep quality and quantity

Increased risk of obesity

Decreased attention span and cognitive development.

Decreased social skills and face-to-face communication.

Statistics:

Children aged 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours per day on screen devices (Common Sense Media, 2019)

Only 15% of children aged 8-18 meet the recommended guidelines of no more than 2 hours of screen time per day (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016)

75% of children experience symptoms of "digital eye strain" after just 2 hours of screen time (The Vision Council, 2016)

Hypnosis as a Solution:

Hypnosis can help children reduce their screen time by utilizing the power of suggestion to rewire their thoughts and behaviors. In a hypnotic state, a child may be more open to accepting positive suggestions for reducing screen time and finding alternative activities, such as exercise or creative hobbies. The hypnotist may also work with the child to uncover any underlying emotional triggers for excessive screen time and help them find healthier coping mechanisms.

We live in a world where screens are everywhere, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and TV screens. While screens offer many benefits, like connecting us with friends and family, learning and entertainment, they can also be a source of concern for parents. Excessive screen time can have negative effects on children's health, development, and well-being.

So, how can parents help their children strike a balance between screen time and other activities? One answer might just be, Hypnosis!

Here are some tips and tricks to help parents guide their children towards a healthy relationship with screens, with the help of hypnosis:

Set boundaries and rules:

Children love structure and routine, so establishing clear guidelines on when, where, and how long they can use screens can help them develop healthy habits. Hypnosis can be used to reinforce these rules and help children stick to them.

Lead by example:

Children learn by watching the adults around them. Parents can model healthy technology habits by limiting their own screen time and engaging in alternative activities. Hypnosis can help parents resist the temptation to use screens excessively themselves. I think as adults even we are guilty of scrolling through Tik Tok and YouTube without even be aware of it

Encourage alternative activities:

Children don't always have to be staring at screens to have fun. Encourage them to participate in physical activities, creative hobbies, and social activities that don't involve screens. Hypnosis can help children develop an interest and passion for alternative activities, making it easier for them to choose them over screens. This also is useful adults. Kids love engaging in activities that their adults are engaging in. Go to family swimming, play a board game together, there’s so many things out there that are group activities that include all age groups

Encourage mindfulness and self-reflection:

Teach children to be aware of their screen usage and its impact on their well-being. Encourage them to reflect on what they are gaining and losing from screen time. Hypnosis can help children develop greater self-awareness and self-reflection, making it easier for them to understand the impact of screens on their lives. Again, something that’s also helpful for adults.

Encourage balance:

Just like a well-balanced diet, children need a mix of activities in their lives. Encourage them to find a balance between screen time and other activities that enrich their lives. Hypnosis can help children develop a sense of balance and proportion, making it easier for them to strike a healthy balance between screens and other activities. This will spill over into all areas of their lives as well. It could potentially impact school, and extra curricular activities as well.

Provide positive reinforcement:

Children love recognition and rewards. Reward them for engaging in alternative activities and limiting their screen time. Hypnosis can help children develop a positive relationship with alternative activities and reinforce the idea that limiting screen time is a good thing.

Seek professional help:

If a child is struggling to overcome a strong desire for screen time, consider seeking the help of a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor. A hypnotist can also be a valuable resource, as hypnosis can help children overcome addiction and develop healthy habits.

In conclusion, screens can be a wonderful tool, but it's important to help children develop a healthy relationship with them. But with the help of hypnosis, parents can guide their children towards a healthy balance between screen time and other activities, and ensure that screens don't interfere with their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Additionally, setting limits and boundaries on screen time, as well as modeling healthy technology habits, can also have a positive impact on children's screen time usage. It is important for parents to monitor their children's screen time and seek professional help if they believe their child may be struggling with excessive screen use.

There have been several studies on children and screen addiction. However, the concept of screen addiction is still being debated within the medical community and there is limited consensus on how to define and diagnose it. Studies have shown that excessive screen use can have negative impacts on children's health, including disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, decreased face-to-face communication skills, and an increased risk of obesity. Additionally, studies have found that the prolonged use of screens can lead to symptoms similar to those seen in individuals with substance use disorders, such as withdrawal symptoms when screens are taken away, an increased tolerance for screen time, and a decreased ability to control one's own screen use.

Sources for Further Reading:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/screen-time/screen-time-by-the-numbers

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2593

The Vision Council. (2016). https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/digital-eye-strain