The suicide of three innocent daughters in Ghaziabad over snatching of mobile phone has shaken the entire NCR to the core. This is not just a tragic incident, but a cry of unheard questions with which children of every home are struggling today. In the nuclear family and busy life, the time of parents is decreasing, while the world of children is getting limited to mobile and online games.
As a result, distance from studies, irritability, lack of sleep and disconnection from social relationships. Experts believe that this dangerous addiction can be stopped through timely communication, emotional connection and balanced use of technology. The biggest solution to learn from this tragedy is to take children out of loneliness, not from mobile phones. This addiction can also be controlled by proper use of technology.
The mobile will automatically lock after one hour
Children’s mobile time can be reduced through settings like parental control and screen time through Google Family Link present in the smartphone. Such settings are available on both Android and iPhone platforms. As soon as the set time is over, the mobile gets automatically locked and cannot be opened again without the passcode. The child will not be able to download anything on his phone without your consent. For this, first you will receive an approval message. Once Safe Search is applied in Google Family Link, the child will not be able to open even unauthorized websites.
For Android users
Go to Google Family Link, the most effective tool for kids’ phones. Through this, parents can set daily screen time. You can lock the phone as soon as the time is over. Separate limits can be set for games, YouTube and social media. It can also be switched off at night from bedtime mode. App-wise time limits and bedtime can also be set through the digital webbing feature.
For iPhone users
In iPhone, go to Apple Family Sharing and through the Screen Time feature, a daily limit can be set for the entire phone. The phone will be locked once the time is up. There are different restrictions for apps and games.
Parental control protected with passcode
Cyber expert Satyam Rastogi said that due to security reasons, auto power off feature is not provided in most smartphones, but locking the phone is practically an equally effective solution. Limited features like emergency calls can be kept operational.
- set mobile usage time
- Keep mobile away while studying and eating
- Explain the harms of digital addiction to children
Don’t do this…
- Don’t make your mobile a baby-sitter
- Don’t allow yourself to watch screens late at night
Distance from mobile, field is necessary
Increasing screen time has affected the thinking and understanding power of children. Sports trainers believe that sports is the best medium to reduce children’s screen time and make them social. While this will awaken the feeling of competition within them, it will also reduce the screen time. Dr. Om Prakash, senior psychiatrist of Ihbas, said that when children regularly engage in sports, they get the same hormones like dopamine and endorphins which are obtained from mobile games but without any harm.
Sports like cricket, football, badminton, kabaddi or athletics not only keep children engaged but also teach teamwork, discipline and self-confidence. The family members of the children playing with them in the sports academy and in the park also believe that after joining sports, the mobile time of the children has automatically reduced by 30-40 percent. Instead of staying online till late night, children have started sleeping on time after getting tired.