Practical ways to prevent digital addiction in children

While the positive effects of screen time spent with content and duration appropriate to age and developmental level are seen in children, screen time not used for the appropriate amount of time can have many negative effects.

Expert Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Çolakoğlu explained, "These negative effects can cause children of different ages to develop digital addiction. Digital addiction can cause children to experience social isolation, attention and focus problems, emotional regulation issues (such as high levels of anger and tension), and sleep and nutrition problems."

Children should not be allowed to use screens before the age of 2.

Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Çolakoğlu stated that completely restricting technology use is neither realistic nor functional in today's world. "Therefore, our children can benefit from the positive aspects of technology with certain limitations," she said. "In this context, when considering limits, we should not approve screen use for children before the age of 2. This is a crucial age when children's development should be supported through play and communication. Between the ages of 2 and 6, we can approve screen use within certain limits. It's important to ensure that children's screen use during this period does not exceed one hour per day."

Screen use should not be done during meals.

Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Çolakoğlu, who stated that children between the ages of 2 and 6 should use a screen on a shared device rather than having their own tablet/phone/computer, said:

Screen use should be supervised by parents. To both reduce the risk of screen addiction and maintain content control, it's recommended that children use these devices in family-friendly spaces, such as the living room, rather than in their bedrooms. Avoiding use while eating is also recommended. Additionally, keeping the television on during other games we play at home and keeping a television out of the child's room are important steps to limiting screen time. Creating a "family media planning" program can be helpful when limiting screen time for children over the age of 6. Determining the time this age group needs during the day—such as sleep, school time, after-school family time, homework, personal care, hobbies—and then setting age-appropriate daily screen time for the remaining time can be a helpful way to both give the child control over their day and to work together to set limits there.

Make shared decisions with your children regarding technology use

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Çolakoğlu said:

Throughout all these processes, it's important to raise children's awareness of privacy and self-protection in an age-appropriate manner from the moment they begin using technology, and to keep them under surveillance. A shared parental approach, both regarding the content they are exposed to during screen time, can help children take healthier first steps in their relationship with technology. Therefore, as parents, these first steps can be taken with a shared approach, considering their child's wishes and needs, and making joint decisions by including them.

Do not use the word 'forbidden' to your child

Pointing out that there should be age restrictions on widely used platforms where children can watch content, Expert. Clinical Psychologist Tuğçe Çolakoğlu said, "Sometimes children might hear about popular TV shows, movies, or games at the time and become curious about them, even though they're not age-appropriate. In this case, if they haven't watched them yet, it's important to explain that they're not age-appropriate. It's not always easy to explain why a child shouldn't do something. In this case, we can prevent them from watching these content by being a role model and explaining the reasoning in an age-appropriate way, without using the word 'forbidden.' It's important to avoid watching or playing such content in their presence, and to take a clear stance against violent content. If you see your child playing games that are inappropriate for their age, or contain violence, you can encourage them to open up and strengthen communication with them by saying, 'I heard about this game; some kids play it. Have you played it? Have you seen it? From what I've seen, there's an age limit for this game, so I'm worried about your safety. You know, no one has the right to be violent towards anyone, even if it's an online game.'"