Creative Child

What Happens When You Take Away the Screens

A few months ago my family unintentionally started an eye opening experiment that magnified just how addicted to screens we are. Although we had time limits on electronics for our kids, even the small amount of time spent on them had a negative affect on my son. His grades slipped, his attitude changed, and his overall work ethic suffered. After some warning and discussion between the three of us, my husband and I decided we would take his electronics away until his grades improved. Grudgingly, my son handed them over for a three-month period and the change in him was hard to dismiss.

##ad##

Perhaps the most obvious change that happened when his screen time was taken away was the simple fact that he was found other things to fill his time. Suddenly my son, who hadn’t touched his Legos in months, started rebuilding all the broken Lego sets, building his own creations, and he even (gasp) cleaned his room. I found him reading books that had been collecting dust on shelves, playing with his younger siblings, and he started journaling and sketching more than usual. These were things he enjoyed before but now he had more time and less distractions to enjoy them.

After spending time doing his rediscovered hobbies like writing, reading, art, and creating he seemed to have a total turn around with his attitude and overall mood. He would spend time talking to us and his siblings and even invited us to play board games with him. While we played games we snacked on popcorn, laughed, and chatted without looking at our phones or checking in on social media.

##adbig##

One day he decided to ride his bike through the neighborhood to explore streets he had never been down and he later came home and drew a map just for fun. He admitted to me that he was bored and missed playing video games but that he had found something fun to do anyway.

Over time his attitude improved and his grades rose. He even seemed more rested and reported better sleep. It was time to make the decision to return his electronics. He had put in his time, improved in the areas he had been asked to, and earned their return. Shorter time limits were set and they were handed over. Since that day I have noticed a difference when he has gone over time, even accidentally, and he realizes the hold they can take on you. I also notice that when the warning is given to set them aside he does so more willingly because he has become less reliant on them for his entertainment.

1 of 2

You might also like.

Want more? Follow us.
Close

Join our newsletter and get the latest updates!
facebook
Hit "Like" to see Creative Child on Facebook