It's this nightly production of melatonin that enables us to fall asleep. The bottom line: When parents take away teens' cell phones at night, they're helping to ensure this natural sleep process can occur, so their teenager can get a decent's night rest.
The answer to this question — should parents take away cell phones at night? — is much more definitive, say the experts. Yes, unless you are absolutely sure your teenager is able to put the phone away (and not pick it up) at bedtime. That's because screens and sleep do not mix.
Threatening to take away your teen's phone may seem like a great way to get them to do something. But it's usually not a good choice as a punishment. When you take away their phone, you're turning off the television, banning games, taking away their ability to talk with friends, and grounding them all at once.
It's also important for parents to highlight that going through their child's phone is not a punishment of any kind, but a way to protect kids.” Secretly checking their phone is not OK, according to Dr. Moreno, who recommends “looking at the device together, as it's an opportunity to build trust and communication.”
The phone plan is probably in your name and you probably bought the electronic devices. But even if not, you have every right and responsibility to check them if you've been given cause to do so because you have the right and obligation to keep your home safe, your child safe, and your other children safe.
As we showed in our previous survey coverage, parents tend to agree that they have to monitor kids up to about age 10. After that, the numbers start to climb as to when to turn off parental controls. The majority, 31%, say age 18 for sure. But there's also 17% who say they'll stop at age 16.
Turn off Android phones
Google's Family Link app allows you to schedule a span of time for the phone to be off, such as bedtime. But you can also completely lock the device so kids can't even get into it. Family Link requires two downloads, one for your phone and one for your kid's.
DEAR CONCERNED: It is not appropriate for parents to co-sleep with adolescent children, partly because adolescents need and deserve some privacy, as they engage in the developmentally important process of figuring out who they are and what they're about.
Yousuf said pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines: Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
The bottom line: When parents take away teens' cell phones at night, they're helping to ensure this natural sleep process can occur, so their teenager can get a decent's night rest. In the case of your daughter, the “trust” line is a trap. Don't go there. This is about providing a safe environment for your family.
Cell phones can be a distraction, and kids can easily become accustomed to the constant stream of communication that phones bring. You can help your child have some calming, quiet time away from social interactions by keeping them from their mobile device in the evening.
6-12 years old: should go to sleep between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. 13-18 years old: should go to sleep around 10:00 pm. Bare in mind that once puberty hits, it will be difficult for teenagers to fall asleep until around 11 pm.
Don't Make the Grounding Too Long
Grounding for a week, or two or three weekends is probably sufficient to get the message across without losing it over time. A month may be too long. As the parent of a teen, a shorter time gives you a lesser chance of caving in and reducing the grounding period later.
According to the AHA (American Heart Association) survey, the average screen time for 12-year-olds is more than 7 hours per day. Note that this research covers kids between 8 to 18 years. Because of this finding, the organization urges parents to limit their kid's screen time to at least 2 hours per day.
Dear Concerned: It is not appropriate for parents to co-sleep with adolescent children, partly because adolescents need and deserve some privacy, as they engage in the developmentally important process of figuring out who they are and what they're about.
Forty-five percent of moms let their 8- to 12-year-olds sleep with them from time to time, and 13 percent permit it every night. A child's anxiety, lower self-esteem, and dependency behaviors during the daytime are related to their inability to sleep alone at night.
Dr. Basora-Rovira says there is no specific age that is “too old” for co-sleeping. She encourages parents to not begin practicing co-sleeping in the first place. And, if you are already co-sleeping with your child, to transition him or her out of your bed and into his or her own room as soon as possible.
The best way to curb your teen's phone use is by filling their time with activities that are much more fun than scrolling through their phone! It might not be 'cool' to do things with your parents, but an age-appropriate day out is a great way to get the family together and spend some time away from screens.
Both Android and iOS give parents the ability to manage their child's phone. You can use Family Link to monitor content, set screen time limits, and even see their child's location when they have their device with them (parents can manage their device through the Family Link app on Android and iOS).
What is the ideal age for a first phone? Your children could be ready for a smartphone or similar device anywhere from 10 to 14, or during middle school. A sixth-grader (typically 10 to 11 years old) could be a good start for considering a phone or a wearable.
Use parental controls
At the ages of 11-12 children still require supervision. Using parental controls ensures that you can monitor their behavior, block harmful and inappropriate sites and content, monitor their location and enforce your cell phone rules with additional technology and support.
It's natural for your child to keep ideas and information to themselves as they do this. Giving your child time and privacy to think and explore is an important part of supporting their growing independence.