Techno families

It is recurring in the children's clinic for parents to ask “At what age do I buy a cell phone for my child?“That question becomes another question, when we work with teenagers “Is my son a cell phone addict?“

We know that from an early age children are offered a cell phone to shut them up and reassure them; a question that hinders the child from being able to detect emotions or unpleasant situations so that an adult can comfort them or teach them how to relieve that tension.

Technology should not be categorized as good or bad, it is part of the contemporary world in which our children grow up. The issue should be addressed by families like so many others in relation to parenting. Therefore, it requires limits, regulations, care; they will vary according to each stage of life. Technology should not replace any of the forms of recreation, communication, study, human interaction; it should accompany.

Emphasis must be placed on promoting play, sport, arts, personal encounters, outdoor life...

While it is important for each family to think about the topic in particular, some considerations to consider in regulating the use of technology might be useful:

• For babies and little ones, absolutely NOT
• Children of pre-school age: some games, videos aimed at age, short communications with relatives.
• DO NOT use devicesin meals.
• Limit night time, to preserve the number of hours of sleep required.
• Stimulate family dialogue.
• With teens (perhaps it gets more complicated, as their world revolves around technology), keep insisting on the rules and limits of use, even if they insist on transgressing them.
• We adults become aware of our permanent dependence on the use of devices.