Hello My son is addictive to scree in form of videos, web series or games. I tried many things like make him understand or by giving treats if he reduced screen time or sometimes scolding but nothing is working. He is like habitual and whenever he gets chance he just grab a mobile, tab or remote of telivision. Please guide me how to change his habit. I am really worried as this is affecting his health and study. Thank you in advance.

Ans: Dear Divya, Hope and fear in my opinion are the strongest emotions. And we learn parenting on the job. Secondly, mirroring is a well-worked upon strategy. Technology, including screen time gives us 'dopamine' and increases our senses uses. On the contrary, a normal paced life seems no fun and 'monotonous'. Every child wishes to push boundaries and present their self-identity. This leads to arguments and tempers soaring on both sides, a parents and also from the child. Strategies that help: 1. Put down your device and talk of your day to the family. 2. Listening, and agreeing, discussions as a family while eating meals is a great connect. 3. Having no-tech zones as bedrooms and dinning tables is another. 4. Lastly, give the child half an hour during a weekday and an extra 1 hour during weekends helps. It's 'what should I do' 'I am bored' reasons that demand the 'dopamine fix. And Divya, inviting children of the same age who all play together with your child works. Family game nights, dancing together and bed time stories work too. Do revert, on what worked.

Ans: The screen time takes away lot of productive time of the child and doesn't allow them to develop their skill sets.
So to reduce it , we need to take care of following:

1.You should gradually reduce it and at a time when you are there to monitor and are able to spend time with him.

2.You should be giving him equally reinforcing activities( reading books, sensory activities etc) so that the child is able to spend more time with Activity instead of gadgets.

3. Consistency is the key , hence being consistent with your efforts is important.
4.Once you achieve the goal of reducing at one time, you can gradually start the same at other time intervals too.

Ans: Put him on self awareness and control using some token strategy.
Every right behaviour get him a token and negative behaviour token can be kept back.
When using this strategy, you need to be mindful by giving token only for right behaviour. He can collect it and exchange the same to get a reward from you.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
As much as this seems normal for his age, a bit of experimentation can also lead to addiction. When this has begun to affect focus and concentration, it requires a bit of Intervention.
Kindly approach an Adolescent Counsellor/Psychologist in your city who can assess the situation and do something beyond talk and advising.
What will work is a combination of talk and certain exercises that will cause a break in this habit and instil a better form of channeling outwards and inward.
So, do not hesitate to take that help and guidance. You will thank yourself for it.

All the best!

Ans: It will be difficult but you have to be firm
Tell him that he has a total time of 1 hour. To be divided as per his choice. But once the time is reached take the screen or remote away. Regardless of the tantrum , the rule should not change. It will take a week till he realises you are serious and won't back down. Take him to a children's park or organise a play time with a friend or a trip to the zoo on holidays. Start reading a book with him.