5 Tips to Help Your Kids Break Their Smartphone Addiction

When was the last time you went an entire day without checking your phone? Or perhaps, try recalling the last time you didn’t look at your phone while it was ringing. If you can’t recall either of those events, then we’re sorry to break it to you — but you might be addicted to your smartphone. As smartphones have become more common, so too has the phenomenon known as “smartphone addiction.” Parents and caregivers across the globe are worried about how much time their kids spend on their phones. And they should; according to data from Statista, in 2016, 79% of Americans owned a smartphone. If this statistic is any indication, this article will be no surprise. Many parents fear that these devices are having a negative impact on their kids. So if you feel like your kid spends too much time on their smartphone or is showing signs of being addicted to it, keep reading for our top 5 tips to help your kids break their smartphone addiction.

Be the Example

If you want your kid to be able to unplug, then you need to unplug as well. If they see you constantly glued to your phone, they will think it’s normal and not something they need to work towards. It’s essential to set an example for your kid to follow. If you want them to know when it’s appropriate to be on their phone and when it’s not, you need to be the one to set those boundaries for them. It’s also important to be aware of the type of phone you have. If you have a smartphone, you have access to all sorts of apps that are designed to be addictive. If your phone has notifications, then your kid’s phone definitely does. If you have an iPhone, you can turn off notifications from certain apps by going to “Settings” and then select “Notifications.” From there, simply scroll down until you find the app you want to turn off notifications for. You can also go to the App Store and click on “Notifications” to access the same settings.

Turn Off Notifications

If you want to turn off notifications, you can do that within the “Settings” section of your phone. You can turn off notifications for apps like Facebook and Instagram, which are the most notoriously attention-grabbing apps. If you have an iPhone, you can turn off notifications from certain apps by going to “Settings” and then select “Notifications.” From there, simply scroll down until you find the app you want to turn off notifications for. If you have an Android phone, click on “Apps” and select “App Notifications.”

Meet Up With Friends in Person

If your kid has many friends online, you need to meet up with them in person. Otherwise, they’re likely to become addicted to the online world and the friendships they make there. You can do this by setting up friend dates with the parents of your kid’s closest friends. You can also encourage your kids to join clubs that interest them. By doing this, you’re giving your kid a chance to meet new people in real life and engage with them on a different level than online. This will give them an opportunity to leave their phones behind and be present.

Set Realistic Expectations

To avoid becoming addicted to your smartphone, you must set realistic expectations for yourself and your kid. You have to ask yourself what your smartphone is for. Are you using it for work, social media, or entertainment? If you don’t know, then it’s important to find out. Once you know what your phone is for, you must set realistic expectations for how and when to use it. You can set up rules, such as putting your phone away at the dinner table with your family. You can also set up bedtime for your phone, so you’re not tempted to pick it up right before you go to sleep.

Take Away the Device

If your kid is addicted to their smartphone, you need to take it away. Sometimes you have to take away the device, even if it’s for what you think is a minor infraction. For example, if your kid is texting while they’re at the dinner table, you need to take away their smartphone. If they’re addicted to their phone, they’ll keep doing whatever it is, regardless of where they are or who they’re with. If you have to take away the device for a certain time, you must be consistent. Otherwise, your kid will just try to sneak their phone back into their hands.

Conclusion

All in all, it’s important that we talk to our kids about smartphone use and set rules for when it’s appropriate to use them. We also need to set boundaries and be examples. It’s also important that we don’t meet up with friends in person, just online and that we set realistic expectations. It’s also important to take away the device if your kid is addicted to it and to remember to turn off notifications. In the end, it’s important that we take steps to help our kids break their smartphone addiction.