As technology becomes increasingly ubiquitous, parents are struggling to find ways to protect their children from the negative impacts of excessive screen time. Devices have become a primary need for many kids, robbing them of their freedom and influencing their identity formation and social belonging.
To address this issue, Devon Frye suggests setting boundaries early, having open conversations with your child, and practicing saying “no” in a firm but fair manner. By doing so, you can help your child develop healthy tech habits and learn essential life skills like self-regulation and decision-making.
The key to successful parenting is to have a strong relationship with your child and communicate effectively. This means tending to the conversation, noticing when things aren’t quite right, and pulling out weeds (setting boundaries) in a constructive way. By doing so, you can help your child understand that no means no and learn valuable lessons about responsibility and self-control.
When problems arise, Devon recommends responding with curiosity and compassion, rather than simply imposing rules. This approach helps provide a safe context for conversation to occur and allows your child to think through their own behavior.
By setting clear boundaries, using partial agreement, and practicing saying “no” in a firm but fair manner, you can help your child develop healthy tech habits and navigate the challenges of the digital world. Remember, it’s essential to focus on primary behavior (the underlying reason for the problem) rather than secondary behavior (the symptoms). By doing so, you can create a stronger foundation for your child’s emotional well-being and long-term success.
Effective strategies include:
* Preventive measures: Set up dialogue early, establish strong boundaries, and practice saying “no” in a firm but fair manner.
* Applied strategies when trouble arises: Respond with curiosity, use the WIN model to work through issues, and focus on primary behavior rather than secondary behavior.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/raising-healthy-boys/202511/getting-my-son-off-his-device