Are you one of the hundreds of parents who has felt frustrated about your child’s overuse of technology? The pandemic has led our children to enter technology bubbles and it seems like it has gotten overly difficult to get them to disconnect. The pandemic has proved to be very isolating for many children due to not being able to see their friends often, sports activities being cancelled, social distancing in school, or attending virtual school. In order to cope many children have relied on communicating with friends through their screens and playing games that help them connect with peers throughout the day. Parents have also relied on technology to keep their children busy while other activities their children would typically participate in were cancelled.
Now that it seems like the world is starting to get back to normal, many parents are wondering how to help their children reintegrate back into the social world and out of their technology bubbles. Due to the prolonged isolation from peers, some children may struggle with socialization and may even display an increase in acting out behaviors in public places. It is important for parents to recognize their children’s emotions and possible anxieties associated with disconnecting from technology and participating in social events. Gaining more of an understanding may help parents navigate through these difficulties and establish a plan to help children adjust without hiding behind their screens. The following tips may be helpful for parents who feel frustrated about their children’s excessive technology use and their refusal to participate in social settings:
- Have open conversations. It is important for parents to listen to their children’s concerns and fears about going out to various places. Some may be worried about getting sick or may be extremely shy around unfamiliar people. Once you gain an understanding if your child’s feelings, you will be better able to help your child cope with difficult emotions.
- Slowly reintegrating to various environments outside the home. Crowded areas may be overwhelming to children who aren’t used to being around a lot of people. Many children may experience some sensory overload when they enter new environments. They may not be used to loud noises, certain smells, and even different temperatures. Some children have coped with some of these difficulties by distracting themselves with phones or tablets, as technology provides them with a mental escape from triggering environments. In order to help children cope with various settings, parents may have to work on a plan to help their children gradually adapt to different sensory experiences. For example, children who are sensitive to loud noises, may benefit from visiting busy places at quieter times and have the option to wear ear plugs if it gets too loud.
- Invite a friend. Some children may benefit from having a friend join in certain activities. Having a peer join an anxiety-provoking situation may serve as a positive distraction and eventually help your child adjust to certain environmental situations better.
Managing post pandemic children’s screen time and tech bubbles became a problem for many parents. If your child is struggling with excessive technology use, meeting with a professional can help you and your family work on ways to decrease technology use and adapt to environmental changes as activities resume. Psychologists at Miami Psychology Group are currently providing therapy services to children, adults, couples, and families.