Parents have revealed they find it easier to get their children to do homework, go to bed or eat healthily, than persuading them to turn off their consoles, phones, laptops and TVs.
A survey by the charity Action for Children found almost one in four parents struggle to limit their children’s screen time.
Action for Children has published five tips to help families “unplug”:
1. Plan fun family activities that don’t involve technology.
2. Create a weekly schedule on the principle of an hour of ‘energy in’ (technology use) equalling an hour of ‘energy out’ (other activities).
3. Think back to your own childhood and play your own favourite games with your children.
4. Identify the challenges your children enjoy in the video games they play and replicate them. Do they like games about sport? Encourage them to play the real deal in the park or go as a family to a local match. Are their favourite games puzzles or brain-teasers? Organise a board game night.
5. Practice what you preach: when your children are having screen-free time, turn off your devices too.