Screen time challenges in families

Mobile phones, notifications, and videos are deeply embedded in the daily lives of many families. When children frequently ask for access to tablets or have difficulty stopping their cartoon watching, parents often find it difficult to manage screen time effectively.

Parental role in screen habits

Experts suggest that simply setting rules for children may not be effective if adults do not follow them. Lara Rouzé, a psychoanalyst and hypnotherapist, emphasizes the importance of parental example and consistent frameworks in helping children develop a balanced relationship with screens.

Creating screen-free moments

To reduce the central role of screens in a child's daily routine, merely asking them to put down their phone or turn off the television is not enough. Adults play a crucial role in how rules are applied, and Rouzé notes that children observe parents' behavior more than the rules they are asked to follow.

Consistency in applying rules

Rouzé highlights the importance of consistency in applying rules, explaining that they are generally better accepted when they are clear, predictable, and established before conflicts arise. Instead of abruptly ordering a child to stop using a screen, parents can announce the end of screen time in advance.

Offering alternatives to screens

Parents should also propose alternative activities rather than simply prohibiting screens. Reducing the role of screens involves allowing children to rediscover pleasure in other activities. Rouzé suggests that telling a child "Go play" may not always be enough, and parents may need to help them develop their imagination through activities like cooking together or playing board games.

Handling resistance to limits

Children may protest or ask for extra time when limits are announced in advance, even if they are aware of the rules. Rouzé advises parents to acknowledge the child's frustration without compromising the set rules, showing understanding of the child's feelings while maintaining the established rule.

Balanced approach to screen use

As Rouzé summarizes, the goal is not to wage a "war on screens" but to provide children with the opportunity to explore other sources of pleasure, discovery, and connection. This approach relies on the example set by adults.