"Parents have been told over and over again that excessive screen use is proven to significantly hinder a child's mental growth. Like many, I was determined to minimize it for my kids. My husband and I did not buy them their own devices, and we limited access to streaming services, other children's gadgets, and even our own phones and laptops as much as we could."
"We set timers on the devices and explained clear rules about daily screen use. At first, they cooperated. But as my workload increased and a new baby arrived, I struggled to enforce consistency. My husband's long hours at work left even more responsibility on me. Soon, I noticed both my boys (then ages 7 and 10) showing signs of aggression. Their behavior mirrored the characters they played with in games."
A parent intended strict screen limits but gradually relaxed rules due to workload and family demands. Initial measures included not buying devices and limiting access to streaming and parents' own screens. Occasional lapses allowed extended YouTube and gaming sessions that induced guilt. Tablets were later purchased, timers set, and clear daily screen rules explained. As workload increased and another baby arrived, enforcement became inconsistent. A partner's long work hours concentrated responsibility, reducing supervision. Both children showed aggression and began mirroring violent behaviors from game characters. The experience emphasized that parent screen habits model children's behavior and require parental self-awareness and change.
Read at Business Insider
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