How to Make Screen Time Safe for Kids @EyePromiseGG

This post was created in partnership with EyePromise. I was not financially compensated for this post but did receive a sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!

Nowadays, we are experiencing swift technological advancements, and new electronic devices get injected into the market each day. Everyone loves these gadgets, and kids certainly adore them just as much.

However, there’s excessive use of electronics among kids, and this is a cause of concern.

But what should parents do?

You can make screen time for kids a good part of your child’s lifestyle by balancing it with other activities and fostering the use of quality content.

Here are great ways to make screen time safe for kids:

1. Discuss safety early and often

Start educating your child on computer and online safety when young. During this time, your child will probably use the device with you rather than independently. It’s an excellent opportunity to let them know that the internet is quite unsafe.

Also, address things that can enhance your child’s safety, like passwords.

Talk about the dangers of too much screen time for kids and let your child understand how movies, images, or violent videos can be harmful.

Additionally, discuss ways on how to reduce potential risks.

2. Limit screen time and gaming hours

Too much screen time for kids can be dangerous.

Avoid keeping TVs and other electronic devices in your child’s room. It’s impossible to watch what your child does in your absence. And this includes other handheld gadgets that they may use late at night.

Allowing your child to use electronics privately will not only compromise your child’s safety but also interfere with their sleep.

If your child has been using electronics excessively and has issues sleeping, engage a baby sleep consultant. They will help you understand your child’s sleep patterns, teach you on self-soothing, and more.

3. Warn your child on strangers

Kids are naïve and can easily be lured by strangers when online.

For instance, online child predators entice kids with gifts or money and trick them into meeting offline so that they can harm them. Your child shouldn’t accept such presents, just like they do offline.

Moreover, discourage your child from opening mail from strangers. They could fall prey to a targeted attack on the family. Talk to your child about online dangers and why it’s not good to visit chat rooms or befriend unknown people.

4. Get your child’s passwords

Depending on the child’s age, it may be wise to obtain passwords to social media or any other online accounts.

It’s also prudent to set rules on the use of social media, the activities to participate in, as well as places not to visit. Many kids are unable to handle online problems like cyberbullying, hence the need to support your child to stay safe, especially when online.

5. Model healthy use of electronics

Limiting screen time for kids is vital.

But, you have to model excellent behavior on the use of electronics. For instance, scrolling your phone all the time or keeping your TV on background noise isn’t right.

Set limits and let them know that there’s time for everything, and excessive use of electronic gadgets can be disadvantageous.

6. Use parental controls

Use Parental controls to safeguard your child from explicit content on TV and when online.

Parental controls allow you to watch your child’s activities and filters unwanted content. There are various materials on screens and also online, and you should only allow your child to access age-appropriate content.

7. Support Eye Health

Since our children will be on screens off and on throughout the day, it is important to think about eye health. Screens and blue light can make your child’s eyes feel tired and strained at times, but thankfully products like EyePromise Screen Shield Teen can help.

EyePromise Screen Shield Teen is a chewable eye vitamin made with all-natural zeaxanthin, lutein, and other vital nutrients that promote eye health. Zeaxanthin and lutein are antioxidants found in your eye’s photoreceptors, retina, lens, and macula. So as you can imagine, they play a significant role in your vision. 

The problem is that as we age and expose ourselves to more and more blue light, the levels of these helpful nutrients deteriorate. That is where EyePromise Screen Shield Teen comes in.

It will help your child replenish these stores and increase their eyes’ natural protective barrier.

I am all for protecting my children’s vision from the inside out. It’s SO easy, and they taste great too!

Don’t let their look deter you either. I’ve had similar looks supplements that tasted horrible, even just swallowing them. But these taste just like fruit punch — my thirteen-year-old son loves them, and I love that they work in conjunction with his multivitamin.

EyePromise Screen Shield Teen for the win!

Final thoughts

Excessive screen time for kids is dangerous; there are numerous effects of screen time on children. Kids get exposed to many risks and unsuitable materials while on the screen, and it’s crucial to limit the information that your child can access.

Also, educate your child on the many online risks and how to stay safe even in your absence. Happy parenting!