All you need to know about technology dependence in kids (after COVID lockdown)

Does your child spend most of the day on their phone, laptop, or tablet? This behaviour has become increasingly common as parents across the country grow worried about technology addiction, especially as children go back-to-school. 

Most children have had their entire lives shifted online due to lockdowns and restrictions, which has prevented them from attending in-person school, playing outside, and meeting their friends. Several studies conducted in India have shown that technology usage in children has gone up significantly since the beginning of COVID, with children averagely spending 50 hours a week on their devices, and 48% of children showing some level of addiction to the internet. This drastic lifestyle change has led to the overuse of technology and negative health effects for many.

Some signs that your child is becoming dependent on technology are if they obsessively check their phone, forgo sleep in order to spend time online, disobey rules regarding technology use, become irritated and angry when not using technology, or lose track of time when they are online. These behaviours can lead to attention issues from constant stimulation, isolation and depression from lack of social interaction, and weight gain and body image issues from the lack of physical activity. After years of online schooling, parents can take some steps to address their child’s technology dependence and make the transition back-to-school easier for them. 

A common mistake parents make is suddenly taking their child’s gadgets away or demanding they stop using technology entirely. This is unrealistic and difficult for children today, who now have schooling, entertainment, and socialization on their devices. It is first important to understand the role technology plays in their life. Child psychologists recommend that parents spend some time learning about the benefits and dangers of technology use, and take note of what appropriate and inappropriate technology use is. They suggest going online to see what your child sees when they use social media or video games for better insight when talking to your child, and help set their behaviour into context of what they are being exposed to online.

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From this point, the first step you should take is to address your concern with your child. Tell them honestly that you are concerned about their technology habits and explain how you think it negatively impacts them. Listen to their thoughts and be prepared for them to feel threatened and react emotionally, but stay calm and supportive. It is important for both parents to be on the same page. 

In order to help your child adjust going back-to-school, you can set reasonable rules of technology usage that work in your household. For example, you can tell your child to not use their devices before bedtime, only use them in the living room, or set a time limit of technology usage outside of school work. You can also ask them to log their usage hours so that they learn accountability. 

Additionally, it is important to lead by example. If you spend your free time scrolling through social media, your child will learn to model this behaviour and do the same. Instead, try finding fun activities for the whole family to replace time they would usually spend playing video games or browsing the internet. This reduces their technology dependence and increases social bonding, which can improve their mental health. You can try family game night or play their favourite sport together. 

If your child is showing signs of technology addiction, it may be a sign of obsessive or compulsive behaviour, attention issue, or other psychological issue such as depression or anxiety that needs addressing. In these cases, it is best to reach out to a school counselor or family doctor to ask for advice. Help is always available.