Before smartphones, a cell phone was just a phone. We used them to make calls and send text messages, but the days of apps, social media, and endless scrolling were still in the future.
Today, calls and texts are the least of what our phones can do. We use social media, watch videos and livestreams, access websites, and download and run games and apps. Having all that power at our fingertips can be overwhelming even for adults. But for our kids, endless screen time poses other risks.
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Why Screen Time Can Be a Problem for Kids
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids ages 8 to 18 spend a staggering 7.5 hours in front of a screen every day for entertainment. (That doesn’t count the time they spend in front of screens for education purposes.) Do the math, and it adds up to 114 full days a year spent gazing at a screen just for the fun of it.
What do kids do online? One of the biggest attractions is social media. According to Pew Research, 35% of U.S. teens say that they’re on one of five leading social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat) almost constantly.
There are plenty of studies that link social media use with mental health challenges, especially depression, in adolescents.
Social media isn’t all bad, of course. It can be a source of entertainment and self-expression for kids and teens. They use these platforms to share their creativity, discover new interests, and learn about the world. And because social media is so widespread, kids can interact with people from all over the world, learning about different cultures and perspectives. But as a parent, it’s up to you to set boundaries and ensure your kids’ social media use is helping them, not inflicting distress.
Safe Phones for Kids from Gabb
Along with excessive screen time and the downsides of social media, there are other online dangers that worry parents, including explicit content, cyberbullying, and online predators. How can a parent enjoy the comfort that comes with having a direct cell phone connection to their child without the worries that come with access to tech that was meant for adults? That’s where Gabb comes in!
Gabb is passionate about providing innovative cellular technology tailored exclusively for kids and their parents. Their mission is simple: to keep families connected and protected.
Gabb Phones are the perfect solution to keep your kids protected from the potential dangers of the online world. Features like Gabb Guard and Gabb Messenger are pre-installed on Gabb devices to prevent potentially dangerous calls or texts from reaching your child. They provide an easy setup right out of the box, so your child has a safe and secure environment to communicate with their loved ones. And an added bonus: the tech is easy for any parent to learn.
One of the greatest features of Gabb devices is what they don’t have:
- No internet
- No social media apps
- No games or app store access
Gabb’s service is built on the nation’s most reliable network and you can get unlimited talk and text and accurate GPS Tracking.
Why Choose a Kid-Safe Phone?
By eliminating access to explicit content and dangerous online predators, Gabb Phones help you protect your child from exposure to harmful materials online – things that could impact their mental and emotional health and well-being.
With no games, social media, or internet, Gabb Phones also help to prevent your child from becoming too attached to screens. That means you’ll have fewer struggles when it comes to encouraging healthy habits that include more face-to-face conversations and fewer online interactions.
How to Help Your Child Reduce Screen Time
A child-safe phone gives parents more control over their child’s use of the internet and technology. But that doesn’t mean technology itself is a bad thing. It’s possible to find a balance between technology and real-life experiences.
Here are a few tips to help you reduce screen time for your kids.
Set Limits: The first step to reducing screen time is setting limits. Decide on a daily limit for screen time and communicate this to your child. Encourage them to take breaks and engage in other activities such as reading, playing outside, or spending time with family and friends.
Create Screen-Free Zones: Designate certain areas of your home as screen-free zones, such as the dinner table, bedrooms, and play areas. This will encourage your child to engage in other activities and help them develop a healthier relationship with technology.
Plan Family Activities: Plan fun and engaging family activities that don’t involve screens, such as game nights, picnics, or hikes. This will help your child understand that there are other fun things to do besides clicking on a screen.
Be a Good Role Model: As parents, we need to set a good example for our children. Limit your own screen time and encourage your child to join you in activities that don’t involve screens.
Remember, reducing screen time for your kids is not about eliminating technology altogether. It’s about finding a balance that works for your family and promoting healthy habits. With Gabb’s easy right-out-of-the-box setup, they’ve made just that a breeze. So, let’s take a step back from the screens and create meaningful experiences with our loved ones!
