We model self-discipline by sticking to our word. We don’t let our children down. We remain true to our word. We mean what we say. We earn our children’s trust. We show them how to stand strong. Don’t start on the device road before age twelve, then:

5 Dos: 

  1. Do limit the amount of time on devices.
  2. Do be clear about when use is permitted. Predictable routines protect the peace. Once negotiations cease and rules cement, people adjust to reality with less protest.
  3. Do encourage time in the natural world. “Play outside” or pull from within is an option.
  4. Do have conversations face to face, over the counter, in transit, at a meal with friends and family. About what? Day residue, dreams, current events, songs, that thing you think about…
  5. Do find engaging projects that require in-the-flesh, five-sense, non-tech hand/brain activity, solo or accompanied.

5 Don’ts:

  1. Don’t feel guilty if you have to battle with your child to get the above to happen.
  2. Don’t give in, because compassionate authority in your home serves all.
  3. Don’t backpedal due to complaints of boredom. First there’s nothing, then there’s something. Deep engagement brings joy but one must get into it.
  4. Don’t fall for the “It’s an emergency! I have to have my phone.”

Don’t worry if you cannot effect this right away. Remember Rome.

FlowerSource: by Chloe Barron

 

Works Cited
• Carr, Nicholas G. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. New York: W.W.Norton, 2010. Print.
• Davidow, Bill. “Exploiting the Neuroscience of Internet Addiction.” The Atlantic. 18 Jul. 2012.Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
• Horstman, Judith. The Scientific American Brave New Brain. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Print.
• Jenkins, Henry. “Multitasking and Continuous Partial Attention.” Aca-Fan. 9 Nov.2010.Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
• Johnson, Chandra. “Face Time vs. Screen Time.” The Deseret News. 29 Aug. 2014.Web. 11Nov. 2014
• Manfield, Lisa. “This is Your Brain on Technology.” Backbone Magazine. 26 Jan. 2009. Web.11 Nov. 2014.
• Morahan-Martin, Janet, and Phyllis Schumacher. “Loneliness and Social Uses of the Internet.”
• Computers in Human Behavior. 19.6 (2003): 659-71. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
• “Preschool Matters.” National Institute for Early Education Research. Jun. 2006. Web. 11 Nov.2014.
• Radziwill, Nicole M. Disconnected: Technology Addiction & the Search for Authenticity inVirtual Life. Lexington, KY: CreateSpace, 2011. Print.
• Rosen, Larry D., Mark L. Carrier, and Nancy A. Cheever. Rewired: Understanding theIGeneration and the Way They Learn. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 201