With the development of technology, it is not possible to keep children away from the screen. The concept we call screen time refers to how long people use technological devices such as television, tablet and mobile phone in a day (Duygulu & Hepkon, 2021). In particular, the pandemic has been an important factor in increasing the time spent on the screen. When it is forbidden to leave the house, we can say that children, like everyone else, spend more time on the tablet, play online games and watch television. At the same time, it is inevitable for us to be intertwined with technology due to the transition to online education with the pandemic and the integration of online education into our lives even if the pandemic is over. It should be taken into account that technology has both advantages and disadvantages. Excessive use of technology can cause sleep problems, depression, internet and game addiction in children and even negatively affect children's imagination and motor development (Göker & Turan, 2020; Öztürk, 2021; Mustafaoğlu et al., 2018). Therefore, it is important to restrict the use of screens depending on the age of children. It is also important for children to devote time to other activities, such as participating in physical activities, spending time outdoors, and social interactions with friends. It is said that it is appropriate to be exposed to the screen for 30-45 minutes a day until the age of 5, and for 1 hour a day after the age of 5. In primary school age children aged 8-10, families should restrict their children in a controlled way because during this period, children use technology for both education and entertainment. This time should balance each other. Children should not play games or watch television for hours (Göker and Turan, 2020; Yılmaz and Güney, 2021). Parents should also control the content of what their children watch and play. Excessive violence, pornographic content or hateful speech pose a risk for children and may negatively affect their feelings and thoughts (Duygulu & Hepkon, 2021). By showing that there are useful sites such as TÜBİTAK, eduMedia and Khan Academy, they can both have fun and contribute to their learning.
In some studies; It has been observed that the children of parents who use technological devices such as television and tablets excessively spend more time on the screen (Lauricella et al., 2015). It should not be forgotten that children model parental behaviors, and therefore parents should be careful to set an example for their children with their own behaviors and attitudes. For example, the whole family should be careful not to use their phones during meals, and everyone can develop a more beneficial behavior such as disconnecting from technology and reading a book a few hours before bed. they communicate. In order to prevent children from communicating with people they do not know and to protect children from cyberbullying, it will be effective for parents to open a family account so that they can control who their children send messages to (Yılmaz and Güney, 2021). They may have differing views on what is needed. Therefore, conflicts and fights can occur in families. It is important to establish open communication within the family to resolve this type of problem. It is essential for open communication that family members come together to share their views and everyone listens to each other. By trying to understand each other's views, family members can find a common solution to the problem. Family members can determine what is acceptable when it comes to screen time. For example, rules such as how many hours of screen time will be given per week or at what hours the screens can be used can be determined. In determining these rules, children's ages, school schedules, families' work schedules, etc. can be taken into account. After family members determine the rules together, it is also important to apply these rules. Parents can monitor their children's screen time to check whether the rules are followed. In addition, parents help their children develop themselves in different areas by suggesting off-screen activities. they can be scammers. As a result, it's normal to have conflicts over screen time within the family. However, a common solution can be found by establishing open communication between family members. It is also important to set and follow the rules for implementing this solution.
The following tips can help parents establish open communication with their child:
Listen: Give your child your full attention when they are speaking and listen to what they are saying. try to understand. Make eye contact and ask questions to show that you're listening.
Empathize: Try to understand the emotions your child is feeling and acknowledge them. Empathy helps your child feel understood.
Be patient: Give your child time to express their ideas. Being patient will help you understand what he is saying and respond correctly.
Avoid criticism: Criticism can undermine your child's self-confidence and hinder open communication. Instead, encourage your child and give him constructive feedback.
Speak in daily life: Parents can talk to their children about what they do and feel in daily life. This can help your child trust you and be open to you.
Help them deal with problems: If your child has problems, do whatever you can to help them. Listen to him and offer solutions.
Establish a positive attitude: A positive attitude helps your child open up to you and express themselves more easily. A positive approach can increase your child's self-confidence.
As a result, although technology has harmful effects, technology makes our lives easier both academically and socially when used correctly and effectively. It allows us to reach many new information in seconds. The duty of parents is to teach their children how to use technology effectively and correctly and to be a role model for them. At this point, it is very important for parents to establish an open and healthy communication with their children. Open communication allows your child to hear It encourages them to share their feelings and thoughts, and also gives you the opportunity to understand and solve their problems. However, if your child spends a lot of time in front of the screen and the measures you try to take do not work, you can get support from a specialist.
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