I’m not sure when my family’s web and videogame addiction first began, as it crept up slowly on us. Signs were everywhere had we been able to see them: our 18-month-old stealing the iPhone from his dad’s pocket to play a learning game; our 4-year-old tantruming when we took away the iPad he used for watching educational YouTube videos, and our 6-year-old weeping uncontrollably when computer time was over.
I know that I definitely began to
take notice when my 7-year-old stopped playing with other children, became more
moody, violent and had no sense of others.
When we took away “his” computer, he threatened to run away because we
were unfair. That is the moment I woke
up and admitted to myself that my family had a cyber addiction, and I had to
put an end to it!
What made the addiction more
difficult to detect, was that many of the online games the kids played were educational. I thought my toddler was doing well learning his letters, numbers,
colours and shapes on the iPhone! And
that my grade 1 child was a super-genius for learning high school biology via
an online e-course! So, it had been easy
for me to write off hours of computer, smartphone, and tablet time as
educational, instead of perceiving it as a family threat.
The first thing I did to regain control of my family, was take away all of the household devices. It was a terrible time in our home, with
weeping, screaming, aggression and threats (originating from our older
kids). My oldest child thought he would
get the better of me, and tried to sneak in iPad time during the night. He was successful, until I found it hidden
under his pillow before bed!
Gotcha!
My husband thought my ban of all smart
devices to be too radical, so we decided that one child may use the computer,
smartphone or tablet for 30 minutes at a time, once every 3 days. This has worked out perfectly for us, as all
5 of our kids “piggy back” on each other’s time. Of course, we still oversee the children’s
time, and help them select suitable content that is age appropriate.
Now that my family has weathered
a cyber addiction, I will pass on this piece of advice. Videogames and the internet, even in the
guise of educational content, can be highly addictive. Be sure to monitor your kids’ online and
videogame activities, limit usage and know when it is time to shut down—before it becomes a problem!
This article was written by me, Jenna Em, and appears in the Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 issue of the Kuklamoo blog.
I can relate! We wound up taking our iPad away from the kids awhile ago...well, actually we kind of lied and said "Daddy needs it for work"...but hey it worked! My son is limited to his 3DS to one hour in the morning on Saturday and Sunday...and that's it. He's not allowed to touch it during weekdays...because I was noticing it's all he thought about, and was moody. Now he's playing with kids and toys again! I don't let them touch our new cell because I don't want that addiction to start for them. It's crazy how obsessed and moody they get! I loved the iPad for learning games...but it got ridiculous for mood swings. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi! I never realized how moody not having the electronic devices would make them. Thank goodness we made it through that bumpy patch, but we're okay now.
DeleteOur tablets and phones were never locked...until the day we found found our 2 year old taking our phone and started to tap on various apps. Then we put a lock code on it. It's crazy how quickly they learn. We are V-E-R-Y slowing starting to step back from it now....boy oh boy!
ReplyDelete