approx. 4 min read
Rules and boundaries are important for children because they provide guidance to follow. Clear guidelines are especially important when it comes to using digital media to ensure a healthy approach to them. Unfortunately, children often do not yet understand that the underlying reason for setting guidelines is their well-being. In this post, you will find a collection of tips and tools to motivate your child to stick to your agreements and what you can do if they do not.
Good rules are logical rules
Children understand much more than you think. That is why it is important to clearly communicate the reasons for certain rules. For example, if you make TV time conditional on watching together with your child, you can explain why you have made that decision.
For example: Your child is in the "magical phase" and cannot yet distinguish between reality and fiction. You could tell your child that it is important to you that you watch TV together so that you can be there for them if they are frightened or want to talk about what they have seen. If your child recognizes your reasons as logical, they will be more likely to follow them.
It can also help to let your child help decide when it comes to choosing digital activities. You could give your child a choice between two digital activities: "Would you rather watch TV for half an hour or play on the computer for half an hour?" This gives your child a choice and makes them feel involved. This can avoid a discussion about whether both activities are allowed.
With these tools, following rules might even be fun:
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Vouchers
Distribute media vouchers to your child at the beginning of the week. For example, 5 vouchers, each worth 20 minutes of media time. Your child can then use them independently throughout the week.
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Written agreements
It can be helpful to write down the rules. For example, on a bulletin board. This way, your child can see the rules in front of them, and there will be fewer arguments about how to interpret them.
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Time limits for apps and games
Many apps and games offer the option of setting a time limit. This can be particularly helpful when introducing new rules. Later on, instead of time limit locks, there may only be reminders that the limit has been reached, or no message at all. The important thing is to check whether your child sticks to the limits even without a lock. If they do not, you should discuss what the reason was.
When agreements are not kept
If your child still does not stick to your agreements, there must be consequences. You should establish these when setting the rules so that your child knows what to expect from the start. Often, this is enough to motivate your child to follow them. It is important that the consequences are related to the rule your child "broke". So do not forbid them from meeting their best friend if they did not stick to the TV times. Media use should also not be used as a punishment or reward, as this gives it much greater importance for your child. However, one possible consequence could be that if they exceed the time limit, that time is deducted from the next day's or week's allowance.
So, have we caught your interest? Then head over here to our shop, so that you too can get your child ready for the digital world in an age-appropriate way and without sensory overload!
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Your Anio Team
