7 rules for playing with gadgets for children

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Deciding to give gadgets to children to make communication easier, parents must prepare the rules of the game so that children do not become dependent on their gadgets.

The following are the rules for playing with gadgets suggested by child psychologist from Three Generations, Annelia Sari Sani.

1. Maximum two hours

Annelia recommends that children over two years spend the most time in front of gadgets (including television and computers) for two hours. Moreover, children must continue to experience playing outside the home to learn to interact, communicate and also recognize emotions.

“Children learn from experience, especially those that come into direct contact with themselves,” said Annelia.

For example, children can recognize the texture of grass and sand, which they have seen through games on their devices. Children under two years old should not be introduced to gadgets at all.

2. Parents are not technologically clueless

Parents should master how to operate electronic devices that their children will use. Try all the applications and games that will be given to your child, to see that they are all appropriate for the child’s age.

3. Accompany the child

Always accompany your child when playing with gadgets. Occasionally discuss what he does in cyberspace, to establish communication. Accompanying children when playing with gadgets means supervising what they do with the gadget, not just sitting next to the child and being busy with their own device.

4. Teach cyber etiquette

Children who have gadgets will interact with other people either through short messages or social media. It’s best to teach them how to interact with the people on their friends list.

Give children an understanding that not all friends on social media are the same age as them. For example, when responding to a comment from an uncle, use appropriate language even if you don’t meet in person.

5. Discussion

When you find content that is not appropriate for your child’s age, make him understand that he should not see something like that. Likewise, when you see information that is not good, ask your child’s opinion about the information and invite him to discuss it.

Also give children an understanding not to carelessly provide identification such as full name, school address, home address and parents’ names to strangers.

Likewise, parents should avoid revealing their child’s identity excessively in cyberspace. For example, taking a photo in front of your child’s school while giving the complete address (either in the form of an explanation or using the location feature), to prevent crimes against children.

6. Don’t bring gadgets when playing

Get your child used to playing outside without bringing gadgets so that he can enjoy the quality of playing outside the house, as well as when he plays at a friend’s house. Give understanding, for example, worry about the gadget falling while cycling, being left behind, or it could fall if cycling while holding the phone.

7. Gadget-free zone

Also apply gadget-free zone rules at home, for example at the dining table. Parents must consistently set an example to children that they are not allowed to play with gadgets while eating.

Get into the habit of not bringing gadgets into the room and children should not play with gadgets in the room before going to bed. To do this, prepare a place outside the room as a “gadget station”. Teach children to put their gadgets in that place, turned off, before going to bed. Parents do the same, putting their gadgets in that place.