1. It was Jigna’s 10th birthday. As the crowd stood ready for the birthday girl to cut her cake, Jigna was out of sight. The party hall was searched by everyone. Jigna’s nanny suddenly yelped in elation. “I know where she is,” saying this, she ran to the parking lot. Jigna was sitting in her car watching her favourite cartoon, over her dad’s phone. After much persuasion, she came to the party hall, and finally, the cake was cut. Jigna though present, was mentally absent from the party.
2. “Avinash, stop,” Bharati called, feeling freaked out. The glass particles and the broken spoons were scattered all over the floor. Avinash was looking to do more damage, and this time, he intended to hit his mom with a roller pin. However, Bharati managed to pull away his son from the glass particles and threw away the roller pin from his hands. Then she hugged her son tightly. A five-year-old Avinash tried to punch his mom, but she hung in there. Avinash was soon playing another game while Bharati watched out for more aggressive signs.
3. Sakina couldn’t understand why her daughter was having frequent arm and neck pain. She was just 8. A young girl complaining of pain was not accepted. She included protein and calcium-rich food in her daughter’s diet. She also pressed her arms and massaged her neck with balm. The pain, however, stayed on. Sakina’s daughter soon couldn’t write or read for a longer period of time, she needed rest in between. And this hampered her academic growth.
4. The morning rays and the playground both smiled gently at the children in the Sunflower Society. Tarun, Vikas, Naina, Swati, and all of their friends came down to the building compound to play games. All except one. Nitin was missing. It had been over three months since Nitin stopped playing outdoor games with his friends. He had lost interest in his school games, period, too. Nitin was in seventh grade. He only studied and lost enthusiasm for any sport or game. His parents thought it was just a changing phase and this, too, would pass quickly. But things did not change.
5. “Your son has a very high IQ”, quipped the therapist. “I’ve conducted all the necessary tests on him. Still, I don’t know why he is unable to concentrate on his studies or any other activities,” the therapist concluded. Satish, a first ranker in school, was having problems concentrating on any task, and everyone wondered why.
6. A three-year-old Priya was having frequent loose motions, and her gut health stayed unwell most of the time. Her mother included different types of food plus gave her the required amount of medication but Priya’s health never improved. With passing time her stomach problems increased. Priya never ate a meal without her mom’s phone.
The above stories are just short descriptions of modern-day kids who are addicted to screens on phones or computers. Did the stories feel relatable? We know the side effects of screen time from the stories that we just read; now, let’s see what solutions we can find.
With artificial intelligence taking over lives slowly, it becomes more necessary to restrict screen time for kids. Here are a few tips:
1. Encouraging outdoor games and sports for children. Any game that interests the child should be taken up with zest. Both indoor plus outdoor activities.
2. Parent-child involvement is important in decreasing screen time. Conversations and open communication regarding the limited boundaries of screen time should be explained clearly to the child.
3. Books and storytelling sessions have a great impact on a child’s well-being. Children watch cartoons or videos because they enjoy storytelling. Why not read to them instead of giving them phones?
4. Creativity and Uniqueness can be bought about in the games and conversations that we have with our kids. Why not play a game while talking with our children? This will break the monotonous chain of daily routine. Boredom needs to be replaced now and then to reduce screen time.
5. Involving children in household chores and grocery shopping is a great idea to reduce screen time, and it helps them learn useful life skills as well. Ask children to help in cleaning the veggies, adding spices, garnishing the dish or simply cleaning up the kitchen or tidying the home.
6. We need to restrict our phone usage, too, because most children learn what they see. Instead of mindless scrolling let’s put the phone down when we are with our children.
7. Including yoga or meditation practice in your child’s regime early on can add loads of physical and mental health benefits to the child.
8. Creating awareness amongst children about using the phone or technology with the help of storytelling or showing real-life examples of growth or hamper can go a long way in reducing screen time. Both the pros and cons of screen time can be mentioned to them so that they know why we discourage its usage.
9. Using nature as a means of learning. Why not watch a sunrise/ sunset together, listen to the chirping birds, walk barefoot on the sand or sit under a tree with your children? Nature has a calming effect and gives joy not only to us but also to the children ‘s souls, adding a digital detox feeling to their well-being.
10. Helping children express their emotions through journaling and painting is a great idea to help them sort out their feelings and reduce dependency on screen addiction.
To make or break any habit, consistency and determination play an important role. Well, in the case of kids, parents need to be more consistent with their screen habits.
Taking baby steps is the key. Which story and which solution applies to you the most? Do comment in the section.
The Momma Clan 
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