Controlling virtual activities can build stronger relationships

‘Just a few more minutes, mum, please!’ — I have heard these words, many times. I am like many other parents in every part of the world, unable to get my son to put down his iPad. It gets especially bad in the summer months and I try to be extra strict when he has school. I have never tried to monitor what he is doing on his tablet, but we do have a password that we plug in ourselves if he wants to use the iPad. Sadly, my husband and I usually lose the battle and we plug in the password when he constantly asks us to use the tablet. We are also fed up like many other parents.

When I first heard about the upcoming Screen Time, I thought ‘yes! I can lock his games on the tablet when he refuses to put down the iPad’, but, then I thought what if he just keeps crying and whining like he usually does. I think for parents to use parental control features effectively, we need to train ourselves and our child. We should not surrender the battle before even trying it. I am going to try Screen Time when it gets released. When I tell my son that he can use the iPad for 10 minutes only, it really will be only for 10 minutes as I will put a lock on it. If he cries, I will try and negotiate with him and reward him with a few extra minutes if he listens. I think if this is done every day it can help build a stronger relationship between the parent and the child. And if he doesn’t obey, then we can easily lock the app or phone.

As my son grows up, I can keep monitoring how much of his iPad or phone he is using. This will help me determine if I need to add more

Trust can’t just be given, it has to be earned, this is another important message our children should be taught.”

locks or restrict access more frequently. If our children want us to trust them, then they need to show us that they can be trusted. They have to show me why I shouldn’t lock their phone. Trust can’t just be given, it has to be earned, this is another important message our children should be taught.

There are too many children that can’t function without an iPad in their hands and if they don’t have an iPad, they want to take their mother or father’s phone and start playing games on it. It really has become an addiction. If they are asking for their iPads even during eating times, homework or schoolwork, then something needs to be done.