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How do I get my kids to stop using their phones all the time?

23 Answers
Last Updated: 02/06/2017 at 7:02am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jessica McDaniel, LPC, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I have been practicing cognitive behavioral psychotherapy since 2007 with a diverse group of adult clients with various diagnoses, all races, and socioeconomic classes.

Top Rated Answers
Stephen373
December 27th, 2014 4:15pm
Set limitations. You're the parent do not be afraid to set a limit if you feel it's necessary and enforce it.
Anonymous
November 29th, 2014 4:00pm
Replace phones with another kind of entertainment. If they're able to cope without their phones for a few hours, reward them with something fun. It's hard for kids to leave their phones alone so don't be too harsh if they "fall off the wagon". Kids need encouragement and support with breaking habits.
politeSun
February 6th, 2017 7:02am
Start by setting a good example and starting activities that might interest them, engage in the activity and let them see you are having fun, probably they will join too.
sabinaasharivera
November 21st, 2014 3:52am
what I would do is take them out to do free and amazing family time activities! Since its winter here in USA, I would go play in the snow with them, make gingerbread houses and other fun things!
friendlysoul16
April 19th, 2016 8:24am
Probably by doing some productive activity at home.. Like playing ludo, chess, UNO something like that... Other than that there are many activities you can do at home.. Invovle them in chores and stuff xo
Anonymous
February 8th, 2016 2:36am
Keep them entertained in other ways, get them to invest in a hobby or find productive ways to use up time.
Kelleyd83
December 29th, 2015 2:50am
The best way to get people away from technology is to pay attention to them. Maybe they feel like they get more attention from their phones than from the world. You have to show them that the world is beautiful without technology.
katco
December 9th, 2015 7:35pm
Engage them in fun family activities. You could watch a movie or go on a trip somewhere together. Another way to go about it is to share in the fun of technology with your kids, kind of "meeting them in the middle." Look at funny YouTube videos, Skype call a friend or relative who lives far away, or show them articles online you think they may be interested in. Technology isn't inherently bad, it can open up a whole new world of communication and knowledge.
staystrong5900
November 15th, 2015 2:23am
Set an example and stop using yours. Kids follow there parents...or have the kids drop there phones in a basket during dinner and family time try it!
Anonymous
October 15th, 2015 3:15am
It is getting more difficult to limit kids to use electronic devices because of the age we are living in. Try to change their point of interest or give them another activity to interact with, such as a sport, dance, music, art, etc.
kindheart14
October 9th, 2015 3:41pm
As kids they may find phones addictive.Trying to stop your kids suddenly from using their phones may increase their urge to use it without your knowledge. But try to stop it slowly and step by step by writing down their daily outdoor and family activities and the time of those activities including the time they spend on phone. Then think why they are using phones for long time? And increase the time they engage in outdoor and family activities by extra few minutes and increase some more minutes the next week without any big difference in their schedule. After few months they may get used to it and spend less time on phone.
tinkerbella00
October 7th, 2015 2:14pm
okay so i'm 15 and im always on my phone but the things what get me off it is when im spending time with my family, i literally wont go on it because usually am having to much fun, maybe try having a day out with your kids and you could tell them that its a no phones day or maybe once a day or week you could have a no phone hour where basically they cant go on there phones for a full hour and they have to do something else then they wont be annoyed or anything when you take the phones because they know they will get them back, also what my mum does is she always says things to me like 'there's more to life then a phone screen you know' obviously if i was a teen and my mum did this to me i wouldn't be happy but i would understand where she was coming from hope this helps!
Loopzieloop
September 29th, 2015 9:39am
Set limits and reward them from doing so. If they are receiving rewards for something, there is a high chance they will continue to do so. Don't punish them because they use them so much, just negotiate.
gracefulAngel96
September 17th, 2015 8:33pm
Redirecting their attention into different activities tends to work pretty well. Perhaps planning some non-cell phone oriented activities, like camping, a day at the beach/lake, hiking, a movie night, or anything else the family can do together would be a good way to spend some non-phone time together.
Anonymous
September 15th, 2015 12:53pm
just don't let them to use it all the time, you're the one who pays bills. switch their data to minimum.
beautifulCandy40
September 15th, 2015 1:16am
I tell them what it can do to them and that they really need to get off it and have real conversations.
Anonymous - Expert in Parenting
May 16th, 2015 1:04am
Establish a time where cell phones are off limits. After a while, they will get use to this time and eventually it will bleed over into other times of the day.
Anonymous
January 6th, 2015 11:17am
Try to encourage them to pursue their hobbies, don't just talk to them about it, for starters you can involve yourself with them in drawing, painting, dancing, whatever their hobby might be. This will help them get over their addiction to phone. Sometimes, kids use phone because they feel a lack of confidence in them, they don't feel unique, so they hide behind mobiles, you can take them to orphanages and old age homes, and ask them to help people over there. They will start feeling fuller in their lives and so this addiction will go away.
katie809
December 30th, 2014 11:19pm
play the phone game! everyone puts their phone in the middle of the table and the first person to touch there phone has to do a penalty. My friends and I do it at dinner and whoever touches there phone has to pay the bill!
Electricwolf22
December 17th, 2014 1:49pm
If they are using their phones for browsing the web/ facebook etc then you can try changing the WiFi password in your home each day. The they can "Unlock" the WiFi by doing chores around the house or good behaviour.
anjewel4321
December 17th, 2014 1:48pm
Written contracts can be very effective, especially with adolescents. This teaches them responsabilities and respect. Here is an example : http://joshshipp.com/teen-cell-phone-contract/
Anonymous
December 8th, 2014 10:34pm
Take the phones away and teach them to only use the home phone. Tell them that only the people who need a phone are the ones who deserve them
Anonymous
November 30th, 2014 2:46am
You could make them active by engaging them in other activities. You could have a schedule for them when they can have their phone and reassure them you are doing it for the best. You could encourage them to spend their time outside.