When it comes to managing your family’s health and well-being, the modern world poses some unique challenges. With the growing use of technology, it can be hard to make sure that your loved ones are getting the right balance of physical and mental stimulation and activities. In this article, we’ll explore how you can help your family find a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. With some understanding of the effects of technology on people’s health, and an eye for what’s best for your family, you can create an environment that allows each member of your family to benefit from the advantages of a connected world, without sacrificing their own well-being.
1. Striking a Balance Between Screen Time and Family Health
It’s hard-wired into our brains. Technology is simply too enjoyable, too entertaining and too convenient. We are literally addicted to our phones. Parents know the challenges of getting children to pry themselves away from their screens and engage in wholesome activities.
As parents, our responsibility is to ensure screen time does not rob children of their physical and mental development by eliminating them from traditional activities and real-world interactions. Here are some tips that might help you strike a balance:
- Set boundaries: Establish time limits and household rules for using electronic devices. Stress that family time always comes first, no matter what.
- Lead by example: Adults need to model healthy behaviour — for instance take an occasional break from their own devices to make sure kids follow suit.
- Encourage outdoor activities: Nothing beats the health benefits of enjoying a walk in the park with your family, or maybe even playing tag.
We live in a media-saturated world and it’s no wonder our kids are drawn to it. But with the right level of supervision and encouragement, we can help them find the delicate balance between tech-time and real-life playtime.
Let’s make sure life events, friends, and outdoor activities keep a priority spot in our children’s lives!
2. Harnessing the Benefits of Technology to Connect the Family
In a digitally driven world, creating connections with our families can feel like a struggle. But with a few intentional decisions, you can harness the power of technology to connect your family and build meaningful relationships.
Staying Up-to-Date
Set up a group chat for everyone in the family on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or another messaging app. This will help everyone stay up-to-date on any activities, events, or news. You can use it to share pictures, videos, and ideas, and also use it to plan get-togethers, plan birthday celebrations, or just check-in with each other.
Organising Video Calls
If your family members live far away from each other, video calls can be a great way to stay connected. You can start by picking a certain day or time each month to set up a video call and chat. You can even plan activities, such as cooking or baking together, or using online trivia games to pass the time.
Developing Special Memories
Capture special memories for the family using shared photo albums. You can set up a shared photo album using a service like Google Photos or iCloud. Everyone in the family can upload pics on there, and then you can share any highlights in the group chat mentioned before. You can also look back on all the pictures when you have families gatherings or holidays, and reminisce!
Ensuring Together Time
Set up weekly or bi-weekly game nights where everyone can join in, using services like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Houseparty. Here, you can plan a variety of activities, such as playing virtual Disney charades, building virtual cardboard forts, or playing online board games. You can also plan virtual movie nights, complete with everyone’s favorite snacks.
3. Establishing Boundaries to Avoid Unwanted Technological Impacts
Make the Parameters Clear
It’s important to establish boundaries before introducing any form of technology into a family household. Identify the goals for utilizing the technology and what the expectations are from every individual. Create a positive atmosphere, and work with the family to recognize the best way to integrate technology into the household.
Rules to Follow
Many families decide to establish certain rules when utilizing technology. Here are a few ideas to consider implementing:
- No screens at the dinner table
- Unplugged hours after a certain time
- Set up screen time limits
- Encourage outdoor activities after school
These rules are different for every family, and it’s important to discuss them as a family, so everyone is on the same page.
Establish Consequences
It’s not enough to just set the rules, but enforcing them as well. Whether it’s the parents or the children, it’s important to abide by the same rules. By making sure everyone follows the rules, it makes it easier to avoid unwanted technological impacts. Setting certain consequences for breaking the rules is great motivation to put unnecessary technology aside and focus on other aspects of life.
4. Reaping the Full Benefits of Technology with Thoughtful Screen Time Habits
When it comes to technology, every parent has the same goal – help their children get the most benefit out of their screen time. It’s true that technology has changed the way kids play, communicate, learn, and express themselves. But the fact remains that too much screen time can have an adverse effect on their physical and mental health.
Parents want to promote healthy digital habits among their kids, but that doesn’t mean denying them access to technology altogether. To reap the full benefits of technology, it is essential to practice thoughtful screen time habits.
Here are some tips to help you and your family get the most out of your screen time:
- Be mindful of when and how much your children use devices.
- Encourage active online citizenship, remind kids to use their devices responsibly.
- Help kids explore and discover the world with device-free activities.
- Teach kids how to spot and resist manipulative targeting by companies.
- Encourage kids to think critically and share ideas through respectful dialogue.
By setting limits and introducing proper guidelines, parents can help their kids responsibly use their devices while learning to get the most benefit out of them.
5. Taking Positive Steps to Foster Family Well-being Through Technology
Families can integrate technology into their daily lives for the betterment of their wellbeing. Technology can not only aid in open communication, but it can also strengthen family relationships and provide comfort to individuals in need of a safe space or extra attention. Here are five positive steps to take to foster family wellbeing through technology:
- Encourage family members to talk to each other with apps like Skype and FaceTime to stay updated on one another’s lives.
- Prioritize family time with video game activities together that don’t require excessive screen-time, but can still bring everyone together.
- Implement family calls for quick check-ins and to maintain personal relationships within the family.
- Keep tabs on family safety and communication with tracking apps, like FindMyKids, that allow you to see where your family is located.
- Encourage relationships outside of family with social media platforms that foster meaningful connection.
Technological tools provide families the opportunity to stay connected in a way that can be convenient, modern, and meaningful. With the right attitude and knowledge of technology’s positive capabilities, families can use digital outlets to maintain family dynamics safely.
Parents should stay ahead of any potential distractions or hazards related to the use of technology for their families. A mindful approach and an open line of communication are the keys to fostering family wellbeing through technology in a safe, encouraging way.
With so many devices and apps competing for our attention, it can be easy to forget the important effects technology has on our wellbeing. But don’t let tech get the better of your family life. Balance screen-time wisely, and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards of healthier and happier families.
