But,
as in everything else, there is a flip side to it.
Gadgets
have become as vital as oxygen. Can you imagine even a few minutes without your
mobile phones? Your tablets? Your laptops? It is with our gadgets that we communicate
access and share. In the process, our lives are dangerously stuck and confined
to the screen. As a consequence, this gadget-addiction drastically reduces human
interactions, and sadly replaces love and care.
Modern
parents face a dual challenge: (i) to ensure that their children do not become
gadget-addicts and (ii) to ensure that they themselves do not become one!
It is not No Gadgets.
It is only Lesser Screen Time.
Using
gadgets productively is the smartest thing to do. However, as a responsible parent,
you need to be keenly aware of the adverse effects of excessive usage of
gadgets - how it could affect your physical, mental and social wellbeing, and
also that of your children. When you put the interests of your family above all
else, nothing will come in your way.
Always
be aware of how much time you use your gadgets per day, especially in the
presence of your children. Try not to carry your office work to home. There are
your little ones longing for your love, craving to be spoken to and awaiting to
be smiled at. No technology in this world is greater than this emotion, right?
Once
your hands are free of gadgets, once you tear yourself off from the screen, you
will be able to dedicate all of your time for your children. And more importantly, you will be setting a
wonderful example to your children on how to wisely use gadgets and give due
importance to precious values in life.
Make
your child realize that life is beyond the screen.
Parenting,
in a gadget-ruled world, is tough. You will have to take extra measures to make
sure that your children do not become gadget-addicts. Your upbringing
techniques will play a key role in this.
First monitor, then mentor.
Gadgets are very addictive by nature. Your child might begin to use a mobile
phone for a specific purpose, but it could branch off to other activities. For
instance, something as simple as checking out nearby hotels for dinner, could
lead to exploring malls, movies, sports, so on and on and on. Your children
cannot be blamed. That is the universal effect of gadgets.
When
you keep a close eye on your children’s handling of gadgets, you will be able
to identify the issues and you can address them effectively. Gently, yet firmly,
make them put away their gadgets once the objective is achieved. And make them realize
that there are other important things in life like mingling with neighbours,
caring for the elders at home, going for a stroll together and many such
wonderful activities. Play the role of a
mentor and tell them that only these things create lifelong memories. Not the
gadgets they are holding.
Social Media is good. Socializing is even better.
It is important that right from an early age your children should start
socializing. No app or technology can match the sheer joy of being with the
near and dear ones. There is so much to learn by meeting and interacting with
people. This will establish the foundation to build a warm and a confident
personality. Here is where you need to be careful about the overpowering
influence of Social media on your children. You may allow them to be active on
the social media, but you will have to draw the line. After a point, in a
polished manner, you need to pull them away from the screen and put them back
in the real world of people. Tough, but you have to do it consistently till
your children gain the desired level of discipline.
While no one can deny the amazing benefits that modern technology offers us, it
is a hard fact that anything beyond limit could end up harmful. It has been
scientifically proven that excessive usage of gadgets would lead to physical,
mental and social issues in people. Let not gadgets ruin the lives of your dear little ones. As a parent, give your
children a happy future.
Happy
Parenting
AGAM
ParentSpace
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