You may have heard of a Digital Detox or intentionally taking a break from digital devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, or television, specifically regarding social media for teens and adults. This practice, which, according to Well.org, has numerous benefits, is becoming more commonplace among those who are trying to reconnect with themselves, their families, and their communities. Unplugging from devices improves human connection and has many benefits regarding brain function, including decision-making skills and overall focus.
As a society, we know that families have become more reliant on screens in their everyday lives. Whether using a computer during your work day, watching TV as part of an afternoon routine, or scrolling social media to relax and unwind in the evening. We also know that along with this general increase for adults, children have become reliant on screen time to fill their days as well. For young children, this may take the form of watching TV or using a tablet. While there are benefits of using screens for children, such as educational apps and TV shows, there is, dare we say, a more important benefit of screen time for children: parents having some time for themselves (or family tasks) while their children are occupied. We have all seen children on tablets at restaurants or airports and know that the majority of our friends and family allow their children to watch screens at home. We understand how important screen time can be in a busy household, not only for entertainment purposes but to allow parents to complete tasks without having a child or children underfoot.
While there is a time and place for screens in a family, and we certainly are not arguing to eliminate screens, we have become increasingly aware of the negative effects of screen time on children. Reducing screen time for children can lead to improved physical health, better sleep quality, enhanced social skills, increased creativity, and better academic performance. With these benefits in mind, it only makes sense to consider increasing the amount of "unplugged" time for our children.
Spotlight on New Literature
The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC News, among others, have all recently covered the release of Johnathan Haidt's new book, The Anxious Generation. In his book, Haidt provides a strong take on screens in today's society and specifically how they affect kids. He adamantly asserts that too much screen time is negatively affecting children's mental health and social well-being. Haidt believes that the social development of our children is at stake and that it is up to us to make timely choices that will place our kids on a better path to set them up for success.
At Make It Cute, we believe in continuing to build a brand that keeps children's futures at the forefront. We are committed to making products, like our indoor playhouses, that consider the research and best practices for childhood development and focus on their well-being. Our modern playhouses have many benefits for children, including the opportunity to practice crucial social skills such as language, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation.
Digital Detox Benefits
Taking a break from screens has been shown to improve many areas of a person's life, including their sleep quality, social skills, creativity, academic performance, and physical health. One other key area of potential improvement is in the quality of relationships. People who take time away from their screens have more time to spend with loved ones and build upon those relationships. Spending time without screens as a family, for example, at the dinner table or during a game night, allows for free-flowing conversations that help each family member learn about one another and stay updated on the critical events in each other's lives. Furthermore, more time away from screens equals more time to pursue passions, spend time in nature, develop a hobby, read, socialize, and get creative. All of these are essential aspects of cultivating a well-rounded person.
Fun Screen-Free Alternatives
If you are anything like us, the first thing you thought of when considering reducing your household screen time was: how? Don't worry; we have done some research and come up with some screen-free alternatives to make digital detoxing fun!
- Plan outdoor adventures: Organize activities like hiking, biking, or picnics to enjoy nature and physical activity away from screens.
- Host a themed event: Plan a board game night, a DIY craft session, or a cooking competition where screens are off-limits.
- Explore new hobbies: Introduce your family to new hobbies or activities like gardening, painting, or learning a musical instrument together.
- Create a challenge: Set goals for reducing screen time and reward achievements with fun outings or small treats.
- Family projects: Start a family project like building a fort, rearranging your playroom, redecorating a room, or creating a scrapbook to bond over offline activities.
- Learn something new: Use the time to learn a new skill or language as a family through books, workshops, or classes.
- Share stories: Spend quality time sharing stories, anecdotes, or family traditions without the distraction of screens.
One thing is for sure: along with family outings and planned activities, you are going to need some high-interest items in your back pocket in case your children need some suggestions or direction when starting a digital detox routine. Investing in, or re-investing in, high-quality toys such as blocks, indoor playhouses, legos, magnatiles, a play kitchen, dollhouses, or dolls/puppets can go a long way in engaging your child. Open-ended toys, such as those listed above, can significantly benefit a child's well-being. They allow children to be creative, build their language skills, self-direct their play, and build their social skills. In addition, they provide an opportunity for independent play, which is an essential time for children to experiment and learn.
Potential Challenges Implementing Digital Detox
While we all realize that screen-free playtime is important, we also know that today's children may have become reliant on screens and, therefore, have come to expect using them as part of their daily routines. When deciding to take some time away from screens, families may find that children push back against the notion. Parents may also find that reducing screen time in their households takes a lot of time and energy to ensure there is follow-through. At the start of this new venture, parents may notice that they have fewer uninterrupted periods to complete a task or just enjoy some peace. These are all potential challenges families may face when deciding to make changes in their homes regarding screen time, and while at first, they may seem like too much to contend with, you will likely find that the benefits of taking breaks from screens far outweigh the short term inconveniences of implementing the changes in your house. We have curated a few tips for you to ensure a smooth start to your digital detox!
Tips for A Smooth Digital Detox
- Set clear limits and boundaries: Establish rules about when and how much screen time is allowed each day.
- Encourage alternative activities: Encourage kids to engage in activities such as reading, playing outdoors, arts and crafts, enjoying open-ended activities like make-believe in their indoor playhouse, or playing with toys.
- Lead by example: Model healthy screen habits by reducing your own screen time and participating in non-screen activities with your children.
- Create screen-free zones: Designate specific areas of the home, such as bedrooms or the dinner table, where screens are not allowed.
- Provide alternatives: Stock your home with books, puzzles, board games, high-quality toys, and other non-screen entertainment options to encourage alternative activities.
- Plan family activities: Schedule regular family outings, like trips to the park or a local sports game, game nights, or other activities that do not involve screens.
- Use screen time wisely: When screen time is allowed, prioritize educational or interactive content over passive entertainment.
- Involve children in decision-making: Engage children in discussions about the importance of limiting screen time and involve them in creating family screen time rules.
Family Digital Detoxing
Digital detoxing does not need to be a "formal" arrangement where you ban screens altogether; it can look like parents are making intentional choices about family time and how they're spending it. Depending on your children's ages, you may include them in the conversations about intentionally reducing their screen time. For example, for older children, you can ask them to do some research about screen time and have them share what they have learned and if there are any changes they would like to make to their relationships with screens. However, with younger children, you could likely begin making the changes without a big conversation, which may lead to pushback from them. This could look like implementing a family game night, which takes place when the family is normally watching television or using tablets, or having an outing to a bowling alley during this same time. Taking intentional steps to reduce screen time for kids does not need to be a monumental change in your family dynamics; it could simply be adding more screen-free activities that will ultimately lead to more fun and bonding as a family.
At Make It Cute, we are proud that our indoor playhouses provide opportunities for screen-free fun. We know how important playtime is in children's development, and we will continue to advocate for screen-free playtime because of its numerous benefits for kids. We hope you'll consider joining us in getting back to the basics of childhood.
Connect with us on Instagram @makeitcutekids to learn more about how our indoor playhouses are great for your child's development!