Do you suspect your children are spending way more time online than they admit to you? Well, you are not wrong. When you are in your bedroom and taking goodnight Sleep, a lot of kids (maybe even yours!) use their devices instead of sleeping. The new digital ritual of night-time screen scrollings is the main cause of sleep deprivation in children.

Moreover, protecting young eyes from increased screen time is very essential. Disturbed sleep cycle, bedtime challenges, using devices till late at night, etc make kids sleep-deprived. Inadequate sleep can lead to major setbacks in a child’s development and overall behavior.

How Screen Time Control Can Curb Sleep Deprivation In Kids?

The consequences of poor sleep aren’t just visible the next day—they can also affect the long-term health of kids. Screen time control can help limit kids’ bedtime device rituals.

How Digital Devices Make Kids Sleep Deprived?

According to a recent study of Common Sense Media on- Screen and Sleep, around 68 percent of teenagers take their devices to the rooms at bedtime, and one-third have smartphones with them in bed. Over one -third of kids admit to waking up to look at their phone at least once a night.

Also, kids usually wake up at night to check social media notifications and respond to them. Apart from this study, parents also complain about kids’ late-night screen sessions. Teenagers use social media apps, games and various surfing sites till late at night.

Additionally, many teens and even parents keep their devices near their bed. When they do not feel asleep, they use devices to binge-watch random videos. The flashlights of the screen and captivating content make them wake up till late at night.

Use Child Monitoring Apps For Effective Screen Time Control

A sleep-deprived child becomes cranky, angry, and irritable. Toddlers and young kids act weird when they do not have enough sleep. Teens may have difficulty focusing and can sleep in class. The easiest way to control late-night screen addiction is to use parental control apps.

Bit Guardian Parental Control is one such reliable screen time tracker app that offers many real-life and digital-life safety features.

• With App Time Limit and Time Schedule features, parents can limit kid’s device usage. You can set time limits to use various apps and restrict extensive screen hours.
• This screen time tracker app for Android devices gives a bedtime feature to ensure your child does not use the device during his bedtime. 
• Ensure only child-friendly apps in your kids’ device with Kiosk Mode.
• Use App Block and App Install Block to limit app addiction. This screen time control app limits kids’ screen time effectively.

What Are The Impacts Of Sleep Deprivation In Kids?

According to science, like food, and air humans need adequate sleep to live well. Sleep deprivation can be a serious health condition over a while. Especially, when kids do not get enough sleep their mental, physical and emotional health effects.

• Poor sleep in kids makes them angry and stressed. They feel anxiety when they do not get enough sleep.
• Kids show reduced cognitive development and they also suffer many behavioral issues.
• The physical consequences of sleep deprivation include immunity and digestion issues. Kids also become inactive and obese.
• Absentmindedness, confusion, and impaired judgment are also common when kids do not sleep well.

How Much Sleep Kids Need? How To Ensure They Are Getting Adequate Sleep?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the below-mentioned hours for different age groups of kids as adequate sleep hours.

• Kids between 3-5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours daily.
• Children ranging from 6-12 years should sleep 9 to 12 hours regularly.
• Children between 13-18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours regularly.

Quick Tips To Ensure Kids Get Adequate Sleep

A sleep-deprived child may suffer poor emotional and mental development. Parents can use these ways to ensure sound and healthy sleep.

• Explain The “Change” – When you will strictly follow the screen time routine, the child may suffocate initially. Explain to him that this new change is good for him and also explain the benefits of having deep and uninterrupted sleep. 
• Promote Responsible surfing – Encourage your children to be responsible for surfing. Teens should have self-control and discipline to switch the device off when it is late at night.
• Avoid Binge-watching Random Videos – Not only kids but adults also like watching random YouTube videos. Watching such videos till late at night should be stopped. To support this, YouTube has also Launched Bedtime Reminder Feature recently.
• Model Good Sleep Cycle – If you wake up till late to use social media sites, your kid will never listen to you to limit his screen life. Follow a healthy sleep habit. Set a fixed time to sleep and wake up in the morning.

Let’s sum up with a gentle reminder that you should frequently tell your kids, screen time controls — especially at bedtime — isn’t a punishment. It is a healthy choice that isn’t negotiable.

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