Child crying for the phone? What to do when screen time ends
When your child cries for the phone or mobile, the best time to act is before you hand it over: tell them how long they can use it and what comes next. When time is up, stay calm and use few words: "I know it's tough, but it's time to put the phone away." These steps follow advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Parents in Pakistan often ask the same thing in Roman Urdu: bacche ko mobile kaise chhudayen, how do I get my child off the mobile?
Before you hand over the phone
- Say the limit and the plan. "When this cartoon finishes, we put the phone away and draw."
- Let a timer help. Most phones and tablets have a built-in timer or screen-time setting. Some children do better with a timer they set themselves.
- Make simple family rules. For example, no phones at meals. Rules are easier to accept when they apply to grown-ups too.
When it's time to stop
Five steps for the moment it ends:
- Keep your cool. Take a few deep breaths before you speak.
- Don't lecture. A child in a meltdown can't think things through. Hold your ground in a few words.
- Give them space. A quiet corner where they can calm down helps. Gently lead a younger child there by the hand.
- Offer something they like more. A favourite book, cuddle time or a small job that makes them feel part of the family.
- Help them come back. Sit near your child, watch quietly, and smile when they are ready to join you.
Why children melt down when the screen goes off
Fun activities are linked with dopamine, a brain chemical tied to good feelings. When the fun stops, dopamine drops, which can leave anyone grumpy. Toddlers and preschoolers are still learning to handle disappointment, so a tantrum shows the feeling is too big for them right now. Meltdowns are more likely when a child is tired, hungry or stressed.
Talk with your child's doctor if meltdowns happen nearly every time the screen goes off, if sleep or eating changes, or if your child can't manage a short wait without a phone.
In KidSpin, a parent can set a daily time limit of 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. The app warns two minutes before the end and lets your child finish the card or game on screen, so the stop doesn't come as a surprise.
Source: AAP (HealthyChildren.org), Screen Time & Temper Tantrums: Helpful Tips for Parents, by Jenny Radesky, MD.
Photo: Frank Ching on Unsplash.