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THERE’S no denying that mobile devices are becoming increasingly integrated into daily life, with one in five parents using them to assist with bedtime, meals, and emotional regulation.
According to The Bump , a staggering 40% of children have used mobile devices by the age of two – and it won’t come as a surprise that many youngsters will find iPads under the Christmas tree this year.
Initially, the mother mentioned in the video that her son would have limited access to the tablet – one or two hours split over the weekend.Credit: TIKTOK/@chloeesweet
However, after noticing a significant change in his behavior, Chloe decided to remove the tablet permanently.Credit: TIKTOK/@chloeesweet
One mother has shared the harsh reality of “permanently removing” the tablet from her young child after he started exhibiting concerning behavior.
Mother-of-two Chloe expressed that allowing her three-year-old to use the tablet was “the worst decision” she has ever made – a choice she now regrets.
Before he had access to the tablet, her little boy was just like any other child, enjoying toys and various activities.
Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse since then, with Chloe stating that his behavior has been getting “worse and worse over time.”
Initially, the mother stated in the video that her son had limited access to the tablet – one or two hours during the weekend.
“Potentially 15 to 20 minutes here, occasionally during the week. But as time went on, he started using it for longer periods, asking for it more frequently, and demanding it,” she explained.
Chloe, who posts under the username @ chloeesweet , added: “Enough is enough now.
“It is my own fault for allowing him to use the tablet.
“Don’t get me wrong; he doesn’t spend all day on it – we’re usually out and about anyway.
“Now, I live with a lot of regret.”
After observing the drastic change in his behavior, Chloe has decided to eliminate the tablet from his life for good.
“He used to love playing – he rarely asked for it at first and wasn’t particularly interested in it.
“However, the more he wanted the tablet, the less he wanted to play.
“He enjoys imaginative play, dressing up, and acting out scenes – he has such a vivid imagination.
“Now he hardly engages in those activities. I buy plenty of arts and crafts supplies – he used to play with those for hours every day.
How long should kids be on screens?
Dr. Amanda, a parenting expert and child psychologist, provided general guidelines for parents looking to limit screen time.
Age 1-3 years old
How long: 5 minutes per year of life in one sitting
Dr. Gummer states: “If you hope your child will learn from their screen time, a good rule of thumb is that children can concentrate for about 5 minutes per year of their life (i.e., 15 minutes at age 3).”
Age 1+
How long: 1 hour per day
Dr. Gummer suggests: “For younger children, aiming for around 1 hour per day on a regular weekday is a sensible limit.”
“When you combine time spent on mobile devices, TV, computers, and other screens, this may not seem like much (and remember, children may also have screen time at school).”
Age 2+
How long: 2 hours per day
Dr. Gummer recommends: “Various sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest no more than 2 hours per day (for children aged 2 and older).”
Children of all ages
Over two hours a day is excessive usage
Dr. Gummer notes: “A recent study found detrimental effects in teenagers who used more than 3 hours of screen time per day, which is considered ‘excessive usage.’”
“It’s just non-existent,” the mother revealed about the shocking reality.
By removing the tablet from her son’s life, Chloe hopes he will return to playing
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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