Parents should practise what they preach

According to the CEO of Common Sense Media, James Steyer, the study shows that more than 50 per cent parents spend at least nine hours on their devices. 

Those nine hours are not spent for work because most of it is for pleasure. Steyer said children can learn so much if parent’s role models their behavior. A good practice would be is if the kids are around, parents must behave with their technologies as much as they want their kids to behave on theirs. 

Moreover, a more interesting result shows the same parents believe they’re good role models when it comes to using technology. This makes parenting much difficult and reality more askew. How can parents lecture their children of the perils of technology overexposure when they themselves are so hooked into it? Parents should remember they can’t preach what they don’t practise. 

According to CNN, 78 percent of surveyed parents believe they’re good role models to their kids when it comes to media and technology. Common Sense Media Director Michael Robb said the results reveal parents are not so different from their kids. 

Parents are worried about their children’s media and technology consumption yet spend plenty of time on their devices. Steyer advised that in order to curb this problem, parents must establish a time and place where devices are not allowed. These times include dinner, before bedtime, and most of all while driving. 

Steyer insisted that parents must learn from their kids. He also said their conversations should include even the most awkward topics to discuss such as sex, sexuality and drugs. Steyer said there’s more from media that both parents and their children can learn from. But he also said it can only be achieved if you use it wisely.