Think back to the summers of your childhood. What were your favorite activities? Was it the obstacle course you built in your backyard or the lemonade stand you set up at your grandmother’s house? Perhaps lazy days at the lake or beside the swimming pool come to mind. Now, think about the summer your child is currently experiencing. Does it bear much resemblance to the summers of your past? If your kid is like most these days, he’s more inclined to settle into his gaming chair on a summer afternoon than grab his bike and go for a ride.
Managing screen time for today’s youngsters can be a challenge, especially during the long, lazy stretch between June and August. Since it’s the middle of the summer, it may be a good time to check in on your child’s digital habits. Here are a few signs that screen time is ruining your child’s summer:
### He’s up all hours of the night
If your kid is up until the wee hours of the morning trying to master his latest video game, then it’s time to intervene. Staying up all night and sleeping the day way is one sure fire way to miss out on the best part of the summer time—sunshine, of course! If screen time is interfering with your child’s sleep, he’s not going to have the energy to participate in other fun summertime activities. Plus, if your kid is turning his schedule upside down, then you’re going to have a very difficult time getting back into the school routine when September rolls around.
### He’s alone
How many sleepovers have you hosted since school let out? Has your child asked to visit a friend’s house lately? If your answers are “none” and “no” respectively, then you might want to suggest a playdate. Summertime is the perfect time for your child to hang out with his school pals outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, with 24/7 access to entertainment via the Internet, a lot of kids don’t even think to invite a friend over for some good ole fashioned playtime.
### You never see him
Without bedtimes, homework, and extracurricular activities, summer is the perfect opportunity to spend more time with your kiddo. If he’s constantly in front of a screen, however, then spending quality time together can be nearly impossible. Be sure to pull him away for some fun family activities before school starts again in the fall.
Make sure that summertime doesn’t become a screen time free-for-all for your kids. Qustodio can help you set healthy time limits for gaming, surfing, and other Internet activities, so that your child has an enjoyable and active summer.
