HOW TO SET AND STICK TO TECH LIMITS FOR KIDS

With the news that TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp smashed her children’s ipads when they broke her screen restriction rules, Emma discusses how to set the right boundaries

f I left my teenage I boys gaming uninterrupted, I probably wouldn’t see them again until they were in their thirties, because children find self-regulation difficult. Kirstie Allsopp recently confessed that, on realising her children were sneakily having extra ipad time, she smashed their devices. I wouldn’t suggest you follow suit for two reasons.

DON’T REACT IN EXTREME WAYS

Firstly, Kirstie isn’t short of a few bob, so I imagine she can replace their tech fairly simply once she feels they have learned their lesson. But Kirstie has failed to teach her children to value possessions. She worked to pay for those items, but she was willing to destroy them in anger. That’s not behaviour any parent should demonstrate to their impressionable children.

TEACH THEM WELL

Secondly, the punishment should always fit the crime and, in my opinion, Kirstie’s reaction was over-the-top. Imagine your partner removing your flatscreen TV from the wall and smashing it up after finding you sneakily enjoying an extra episode of your mutually favourite box set. He would be in court for criminal damage.

Children learn from you how to respond to life’s challenges, and teaching any extreme behaviour is storing up problems for the future. Children do need boundaries where technology is concerned. If they don’t stick to the guidelines, you need to either confiscate their tech or use timer controls so that they can only play games or watch shows for a prescribed amount of time.

OFFER ALTERNATIVES

Children play on technology because it’s fun and gives them something to do. If you want them to spend less time enjoying themselves this way, you need to offer them alternatives. It will also reduce conflict when you tell them to turn off their devices.

Parents should create opportunities for their kids to get outside. Whether that’s taking them for a walk in nature, to the pool for a swim, or for a ride on their bikes, bringing activities into their lives alleviates boredom and offers other types of enjoyment.