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Does your kid have an iPad/tablet they live on? Do you feel like you've lost a connection with your kids? It's a thing. As a parent of an 11 year old, I know the fight. But what should you do?
A survey of 2,000 millennial and Gen Z parents reveals that 42% feel disconnected from their children due to excessive screen time, with kids averaging four hours daily on devices. 4 hours of time for you to get stuff done around the house. But is it a good connection or example you want to send to your kids?
Most problems people say come from too much time on a tablet is distractibility, irritability, sleep problems, and reduced physical activity, with nearly half of these issues directly due to screen use. The winter season worsens the problem, as 56% of parents noted increased screen time during cold weather. But what can they do outside? Get sick playing in the snow and cold? Parents can't win sometimes man.
So what should we do? 70% of parents are recreating hands on DIY projects they experienced growing up, while 87% believe such activities would strengthen parent-child bonds. So there is that.
Does your kid spend too much time on a tablet?