Children are more connected than ever before, with access to numerous digital devices and online activities. While technology can offer many benefits, it can also pose challenges when it comes to managing digital distractions. For kids, digital distractions can lead to reduced productivity, poor time management skills, difficulty focusing on important tasks such as homework or studying, and a poorly regulated sleep schedule. Fortunately, there are ways that we as parents and guardians can help kids manage digital distractions and stay focused on their goals. By setting boundaries, establishing routines, and using technology responsibly, we can help our kids navigate the digital world with confidence and success.

Managing digital distractions can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Encourage your child to set their own boundaries around their digital use but set your own boundaries to assist them when they forget. Help them identify specific times of the day when they are allowed to partake in online activities and set limits on how much time they can spend on them. There are many productivity apps available that can help your child manage their time and stay focused on their tasks. Some of these apps can help them track their progress and set goals for their work or study.

Establish a designated work or study space for your child that is free from digital distractions. This requires removing any electronic devices that are not necessary for their work or study, such as phones or gaming consoles. Try to develop a routine that includes regular breaks from digital activities and encourage your child to take short breaks every 20-30 minutes to stand up, move around, and rest their eyes.

Physical activity can help your child stay energized and focused on important tasks, so encourage them to engage in physical activity, such as going for a walk, playing with any pets you may have, doing some yoga, or playing a sport during their screen-time breaks.

Lastly, you need to model good behaviour by setting a good example yourself. Limit your own digital use, especially when you are with your child, and show them how to manage digital distractions by focusing on your own work or study. Children learn a lot more from their parents than they do at school, and your actions can tell them that something is good or bad much better than any words could.

You can utilise parental controls and other tools to restrict access to certain sites or apps during specific times of the day. CyberSharp Protect, which is powered by Bark Technologies, provides parents with an all-in-one platform to monitor online activity and activate parental controls across multiple different apps and platforms.