Indistractable

Studies demonstrate that children who eat regularly with their families show lower rates of drug use, depression, school problems, and eating disorders.

In my household, we’ve established a weekly “Sunday Funday,” where we rotate the responsibility to plan a three-hour activity.

•    Teach traction. With so many potential distractions in kids’ lives, teaching them how to make time for traction is critical.

kids can learn how to make time for what’s important to them.

As parents, we often forget that a kid wanting something “really, really badly” is not a good enough reason.

giving a kid a smartphone or other gadgetry before they have the faculties to use it properly is just as irresponsible as letting them jump headfirst into a pool without knowing how to swim.

Do they know how to use the Do Not Disturb feature? Do they know how to set their phones to automatically turn off notifications when their schedule demands concentration?

Do they know how to use the Do Not Disturb feature? Do they know how to set their phones to automatically turn off notifications when their schedule demands concentration? Are they able to place their phones out of sight and out of mind during family time or when friends come over? If not, they’re not ready, and they need to take a few more “swimming lessons,” so to speak.

•    Teach your children to swim before they dive in. Like swimming in a pool, children should not be allowed

•    Teach your children to swim before they dive in. Like swimming in a pool, children should not be allowed to partake in certain risky behaviors before they are ready.

•    Test for tech readiness. A good measure of a child’s readiness is the ability to manage distraction by using the settings on the device to turn off external triggers.

the apps and videos on the iPad were made by some very smart people and were intentionally designed to keep her hooked and habitually watching. It’s

the apps and videos on the iPad were made by some very smart people and were intentionally designed to keep her hooked and habitually watching. It’s important that our kids understand the motives of the gaming companies and social networks—while

When parents impose limits without their kids’ input, they are setting them up to be resentful and incentivizing them to cheat the system.

While it’s important our kids are aware that products are designed to be highly engaging, we also need to reinforce their belief in their own power to overcome distraction.

While it’s important our kids are aware that products are designed to be highly engaging, we also need to reinforce their belief in their own power to overcome distraction. It’s their responsibility, as well as their right, to use their time wisely.

•    Don’t underestimate your child’s ability to precommit and follow through. Even young children can learn to use precommitments as long as they set the rules and know how to use a timer or some other binding system.

•    Consumer skepticism is healthy. Understanding that companies are motivated to keep kids spending time watching or playing is an important part of teaching media literacy.

•    Put the kids in charge. It’s only when kids practice monitoring their own behavior that they learn how to manage their own time and attention.

Instant digital connectivity can come at the expense of being fully present with those beside us.