HOW YOU CAN EASILY REDUCE SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS WITH HAPPINETZ
This new generation has little or no knowledge of life without screens. Take my 7-year-old son for example; yesterday he began arguing with me for not allowing him to finish watching a DIY video on YouTube despite me repeatedly telling him that the video is going nowhere. It will be there tomorrow where he found it today.
The argument began because I generally aim to reduce screen time for my kids as much as possible. And then the old-school mom in me continued by adding how lucky he is to be born in this era where he can watch what he wants when he wants. Because back when we were kids, or even when his elder sister was tiny, we had to watch a show when it aired on television. We couldn’t change its timing or watch it whenever we wanted – like we can today.
Speaking of wanting to watch what we want to watch, I sometimes have this fear that unwanted advertisements may appear while my kids are watching their videos. Till now I haven’t come across any weird ads but you never know. Also, my kids are 7 and 11, so I’m generally close by while they use devices.
However, I can only monitor their activities online and reduce screen time while I’m physically around them. I used to wonder how I can make sure that they don’t come across inappropriate promotions or are off the devices on time when I’m NOT around them. But now, I found an excellent solution for this and can’t wait to tell you about the Happinetz box.
However, first, let’s talk about why it’s so important to reduce screen time for kids.
Click to read
As mentioned earlier, I always aim to reduce screen time for my kids. Here are a few reasons why you should, too:
Kids who have electronic devices kept next to them in their bedrooms are said to get less sleep than those who leave the devices in another room at night. Continuous texting also causes sleep deprivation in kids. If we do not reduce screen time, especially for kids, we have to be ready to handle the above negative effects of the same.
It’s always good to have meals without the screens. Not only will the kids understand that mealtime is family time, but they will also understand what they are eating. I feel it is very important that kids know what to eat, how to eat without a mess and appreciate the food that is in front of them.
Playing with other kids enhances social skills, develops self-discipline and self-confidence, reduces impulsive behaviour, etc. Therefore, it is very important that kids meet and play with other kids most of the time instead of sticking their heads into screens. Kids with siblings can play board games or any other offline games with their siblings at home.
Today’s kids and teens are easily bored. Generally, when our son asks us, ‘What should I do? I’m bored!”, we would give him the mobile without thinking. Once we realized what he was smartly doing on purpose, we began to tell him to go play with the numerous board games at home or just sit and get bored for some time. We saw that as kids are not able to sit in one place, they ultimately find a friend or thing to play or spend time with. A lot of their creativity is seen during this time. They begin using their imagination and thinking like a human.
Many parents use this method to reduce screen time, keep their kids busy, improve sports or athletic activities, develop physical fitness, etc. Some of the activities that keep the brain and body active are swimming, cycling, tennis, hula hooping, running, yoga, dance, etc. so it’s wonderful if you’re able to enroll your kids in such classes or send them to play football, cricket, badminton, hockey, volleyball, etc. with other kids.
The above-mentioned tips to reduce screen time may not always be the answer to keep your kids away from prolonged use. After mealtime, playtime with kids, hobby classes, etc., the kids are mostly at home. Their home is their comfort zone. So, establishing clear rules for screen time is extremely important at home.
One way is to watch and be around to stop them when their time is up. The second is to do this despite not being around or yelling at them every single day. What if I tell you that you can reduce screen time on their devices with Happinetz?
The Happinetz box is a device that allows me to monitor my children’s online activities, reduce screen time and restrict certain websites from popping up. I can also disconnect their internet connection to reduce screen time if the need arises without being physically present. Am I a mean mom or what?
Even if you are not tech-savvy, you will be able to use this easily, provided the initial connections are done right. After connecting the home router to the Happinetz Box with the cables provided, you will have to first connect your smartphone to the Happinetz connection available under WiFi connections. Then download the Happinetz app and create an account. Once the app connects to the box, you’re ready.
Take your child’s device and ‘Forget all Networks’ individually, remove ‘MAC randomization’ and disable ‘Join other Networks’. Basically, you are preventing that device from searching and connecting to other networks as you only want it to be connected to Happinetz at all times. Then back to your smartphone, go to the Happinetz app and add the children’s devices.
There are three modes – Kid, Teen and Adult. Each mode comes with default settings for filtering content that can be configured (through blacklisting or whitelisting specific websites and apps) if need be. Also, if a device is shared between multiple people, you can easily switch the mode (on the app on your smartphone) depending on who is using it.
Currently more than 110 million websites and apps are being monitored and tracked by the system and more than 22 million adult and unsecured ones are blocked by default.
I also have the added advantage of being able to check ‘Insights on device usage’ and what content my children are spending time on.
There are several ways of reducing screen time for our kids, but most of them need us to be present or be available to carry out the same. Picking and dropping them to their classes, organizing playtime, yelling at them with warnings, etc. but with Happinetz I’m relaxed knowing that my kids are safely on their screens which will stop working once the screen time allotted has lapsed.
PS: They should not switch to other networks on their devices. So keep your home WiFi connections password-protected.
All the best.
What steps do you take to restrict screen time at home?
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter
32 Comments
Screen time is so difficult to curb in this day and age. I’m so glad you’ve found a worthy solution.
Reducing screen time is crucial, especially in the digital age. Your insights resonate with the challenges of parenting in a world dominated by screens. The Happinetz solution is promising, providing a proactive approach to manage online activities and screen time. Establishing clear rules and fostering offline activities are key, and your practical tips offer valuable guidance for modern parenting.
Ever since I have installed Happinetz, I had been heaving a sigh of relief. God has really listened to us worried parents!
The internet is such a scary place with grooming and all. If the kids’ activities are not tracked, it can be dangerous, and has been proven in many instances too. Ditto on the tips. Mobiles should not be something to buy free time from kids.
Cindy post is so good. I realized reality in your words allow the children to think like a human. Internet-savvy children are becoming screen addicts. Well said and happinetz is surely of great use to parents helping them relax.
I have read a lot about Happinetz and I guess I might go for it. I really like that initiative,
I recognize the significance of this point because my nephew, who is two years old, is too dependent on YouTube videos. There is no doubt that we require a way to quickly cut down on TV time. Happinetz sounds great; I would definitely send this article to my sister.
I agree with you 100% in regards to the role of Happinetz in reducing the screen time for the kids as I experienced this personally by installing the same at my place for my son. The tips that you shared are very practical and feasible and I myself follow few of them for son and I can see the change in his behaviour and that too at positive way. Indeed a great post by you Cindy.
Thank you, Samata!
It was easier for us because children used to barely stay at home during holidays. They were always outside playing. Monitoring what they watch is very important. Happinetz looks like a good option.
I’m happy to see that things like this are created as screentime has really been one of the problems nowadays of parents. But let’s be frank, screentime is also as useful for us as parents and we too much admit that it’s not only our children that needs to reduce screentime, but us as well. Depriving our children and them still seeing us, parents, still use our phones for nonsense things only make them feel bad. I’m still more on implementing discipline and mindful usage for everyone at all times. Let’s face it, our children only follows as so screentime should start with us too.
True, Jeannine. Thereore, other than my work, I’m barely watching TV. The thing I have an issue with most is the number of weird YouTube videos that my kids watch. Some are good but some are just plain nonsense.
Happinetz is indeed a good solution. Screen times cannot be completely restricted given that even a lot of school work happens online. But as parents if we have control over unwanted viewing, we are relieved. What’s your child’s reaction to Happinetz?
Somehow they love it. They like the idea of the internet going off by itself rather than me telling them to switch it off. Hahaha!
Hearing lot about happinetz these days. Indeed It’s good for kids to get bored and figure things out. Boredom can actually be good for personal growth, letting them explore what they’re into and find new stuff. Am surely going to ask my sister to install happinetz.
It will surely help, Anjali. Thanks.
You have given some tips to reduce screen time that really work. It is reassuring that the Happinetz control box can monitor more than 110 million websites and apps. Also thanks Cindy for sharing that this only works best when your child does not switch networks, valuable tip indeed.
Thank you, Preeti!
I am single thankfully, so no kids monitoring. With so much happening on the internet, it’s good that someone has taken the initiative to put a check on it. Yesterday, I watched a movie on Netflix, all about an influencer going beserk and how her parents worked on bringing her on track. I hope more and more people opt for Happinetz.
What step I take “yelling” 🤣🤣🤣
I totally agree my daughter thinks its going on live even if she goes to the lu, she would pause the video or if I shut it off she would be like now I cannot watch that video, unlike our times she doesn’t realize that the video is there itself she can watch it later or she can rewind it, no matter how much I explain it simply useless.
Create a calm environment before you explain. Very important. Remember how we never wanted to listen to our parents if we were told something the ‘yelling’ way?
Very useful post. It is ok for them to get bored and find themselves. Will consider installing Happinetz!
Sure thing, Rose. Do use my code.
I had read about the Happinetz box before and had decided to get it but I totally forgot. Thanks for the reminder post Cindy.
I think it’s a must have for parents with young kids as they can take one huge stress factor off their lives. And among others, I like the feature… ‘will stop working once the alloted time is over’ the most😀
Yeah, I liked that, too, Kaveri!
That’s great.
Happinetz can help so many parents 🙂
Happinetz is working really well to provide #SafeInternetForKids. Glad to installed the device
Happinetz is now my secret mantra of staying calm and peaceful without thinking of kids internet usage.
God bless you, Rakhi!
I have to religiously follow certain rules too as my son is growing up and the usage of the media also increases. Not sure if this is available here but will check it out. I’m sure it’s a great help to the parents.
Love the tips on how to reduce screentime. I have learned that you need to start early to make this a routine. But it is an assurance that Happinetz is working really well to provide #SafeInternetForKids
True, Pratibha! Thanks for stopping by!