Do Not Use Screen Time as A Bargain Chip with Your Child. Why?

We are all bargaining with our children in life now, regardless of the scenario or the cause. We strategize with toddlers, whether it’s for feeding them, taking away their siblings’ toys, having them behave nicely, or removing mobile gadgets. Everything starts with one thing and leads to another. We become so accustomed to deals that we begin to utilize technological equipment as bargaining chips more frequently. It’s when things get complicated and hazardous. Bargaining appears to be fine at times, as using this technique you teach your youngster a new social dealing approach. However, it is not appropriate with digital devices or screen time. 

Here’s why you should stop allowing your child an extra hour of screen time after finishing housework or homework. 

Bargaining Screen Time – Build Potentially Negative Association 

We believe that bargaining screen time with children helps them behave and learn better. However, they may slip into a pit of bad association deep down. According to one study, youngsters consider having more screen time as an achievement or a trait of being the greatest. They feel superior to others and flaunt their digital assets like screen time, or smart devices.

Weakens Intrinsic Motivation to Learn 

Most of the time, your children have to focus on behaving well or acting in a way to earn some screen time. They require a strong comprehension or motivation to learn new things or improve their behavior. 

The technique will lead them away from the fundamental motivation to learn more effectively. Your children will never establish a habit of self-development since they will be motivated to finish duties and spend extra time with devices. All of your screen time control efforts will eventually come to an end.  

More dependency or Habitual Bargain 

Initially, you may find it easier to convince your child to bargain. However, later it will become a habit, and, in most cases, you may have to take help from these bargain chips. Your child won’t initiate things willingly and will require you to offer something against it.  

Potential Excessive Screen Time  

When it’s common for children to get their bargain screen time more often, they will develop a habit of screen overuse. Whether you are using a screen time app or not, kids are getting more than the required screen-time. You need to undermine how much screen time is too much and control it accordingly. If you wish to allow some extra time, rule it but never offer a bargain. 

Set rules instead of bargain 

Instead of screen time bargaining, develop specific summer screen time rules and train your children. 

• If you want them to complete the chores, or perform well in their studies, make them understand their importance. 
• Offer them rewards for their accomplishments not associated with screen time or smart gadgets. 
• Develop a positive association of reward systems among children so they will learn things and practice them. 

Setting up the rules may take a little time, but you can do it. Make your child understand that screen-time is for fun or to learn new things. It’s not a necessity; however, life management skills are essential. 

Bottom line 

Using small things like screen time, games, or apps as a token of appreciation for your children seems feasible. However, using them excessively makes things go wrong. Instead of giving your child a bargain for good behavior, make them learn its significance. 

Moreover, enable your child to earn some screen time as a reward, not as an easy bargain. FamilyTime parental control app offers you a FunTime feature that lets your child enjoy some additional screen time by earning it. 

Remember, earning screen time is different from its simple bargain. You are not giving additional screen-time against small tasks or actions. However, you are asking them to be efficient, consistent in performance and reach a goal of achieving a little allowance for using their digital devices.