Tips for healthy unlimited screen time

People often ask me how do I stop my kids from watching cartoons or mindless videos all day if I don’t limit their screen time.

Not limiting screen time doesn’t mean that they can spend their time in front of screens for passive entertainment 😎

Passive entertainment is everything where they are just consuming content without the need to think or analyze, for example watching cartoons, mindless youtube videos, movies, etc.

We allow unlimited screen time for finding information or for creating stuff, not for passively consuming content or entertainment.

As for entertainment, whether on screen (games, videos etc.) or otherwise, we have two rules:

a) It must be halaal (no music, nudity, unIslamic content)

b) We cannot spend all our time on entertainment, even if it is halaal.

We value discipline and productivity a lot, even for young kids.

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So here are some tips, from a mother who has managed to raise three cartoon free kids while not limiting the screen usage 😀

1. Say no to cartoons and movies

I detest cartoons and movies. Especially the Disney variety. But even if you don’t agree with my sentiment, I would still advise you to keep your children away from cartoons and other mindless videos completely.

Once the kids are used to passively watching stuff they are not interested in anything else. Even in playing games (where they have to use their thinking and analytical skills).

Rather than watching cartoons or silly videos on YouTube, find videos / animated movies which have educational benefits.

If your kids are used to watching cartoons and mindless videos it will take some time weaning them off. But read on to find some ways that can help.

2. Help them make good choices

Talk to your kids about making good choices. Discuss what could be a good and beneficial video/game/resource vs a useless one vs a bad one.

Explain the reason behind your thinking. Talk to them even if you think your kids are too young. And don’t forget to listen to their point of view too.

Laying this good foundation is extremely important, especially when the kids grow older and start challenging or defying the rules.

3. Model good screen usage with your own behaviour

You can’t stop your kids from watching mindless YouTube videos if you spend your free time watching Netflix or scrolling social media.

Spend your own screen time in a productive manner. Learn something new. Find a creative hobby. Let them learn from you.

4. House rules

Set down some rules on how much time they can spend on entertainment AFTER talking to them. Include them in the rule making.

Set aside a designated time where they are allowed to watch passively. But after that time they are not allowed to use the screen for watching entertainment videos, cartoons etc. no matter what.

Be persistent and firm with your rules and eventually they will start taking interest in other things.

5. Don’t be scared of boredom

Don’t be scared of your child getting bored. Let them get bored every once in a while. Don’t give in and break the rules just because they are bored (and throwing a tantrum 😩). Boredom breeds creativity.

6. Don’t use screens as a baby sitter

If you shove a screen in front of your kids every time you have to work or you want quiet time, you are asking for trouble.

Try different ways of keeping them occupied when they are young. Encourage being on their own and playing on their own in young kids.

Ask for help from your spouses and other family members if you need to but don’t use screens for this purpose.

7. Opportunities and access

A lot of the time kids fall back to watching mindless stuff when they don’t have anything else to do.

Find good and beneficial online activities for your kids, depending on their age and interest. Pin good resources on their browser windows.

You can find a lot of great resources by simply googling it.

💥 I have a Telegram channel where I keep posting apps, games, activities, videos, and resources for young kids and a free newsletter with activities for older kids which help them learn new things.

8. Create stuff

Even if it is just AR filters (Umar and I are making our own Augmented Reality filters for Instagram in the image above).

Encourage creating content rather than just consuming it.

Encourage them to make digital art, create memes and games, write code, use their devices to capture the world around them, use the sensors in their devices to capture real world data and more.

Use devices other than cellphones and computers to create cool stuff like a Micro:bit, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and more.

💥 I run a free online STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, arts, Math, and Design) club where I post activities that encourage kids to use their devices to create stuff.

9. Off screen activities

Make sure your kids are doing enough non digital activities.

Keep a box full of recyclable material at hand, so they can make things when inspiration strikes. Keep their books, and drawing /arts/ crafts material in easy reach.

Keep your house strewn with books and other things that may interest them. And don’t fear the mess 😛

Take them for activities outside. Sports, nature walks, playgrounds, or anything else you may have access to.

10. Be there for them

This is THE most important thing on this list.

Stay with your kids. Be engaged.

Be there for them even when they are busy doing their own things or watching their own screens.

There is a fine line between doing everything for them and being there for them. Don’t hover, but be there if they need you.

Take interest in their discoveries and laugh at their jokes. Be a friend they can talk to and a mentor they can confide in.

If you are taking the interest led learning / unschooling approach and not spending your time actively teaching them, you still need to spend time with them.

You have to spend equal amount of time, if not more, while unschooling compared to if you were doing the traditional school at home.

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This is all I can think of now. What other things would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments.