Psychiatrist and father of seven children, Dr. Richard Wadsworth, is a well-known influencer on social media, where he addresses topics related to parenting and raising a large family. Much of his content focuses on mental health. Recently, Wadsworth tackled the issue of children's addiction to screens. He firmly believes that everything has its place, but it must be done in moderation and with caution. When his children want to play video games or watch a movie, they have to complete tasks from a list.
I don’t allow my kids on screens until they meet these requirements
- he says in his TikTok video.
These rules apply to everyone - both children and parents
How can you teach a child to use screens wisely? By introducing rules that everyone respects. This is the main principle that the father of seven children implemented, showing in his video his son lifting weights at 6:30 a.m. simply because after school, he wanted to play video games with a friend.
I don’t force my son to exercise daily. But I set rules and limits around screen time. He decided he wanted more time after school to play with his friend. To do that, he realized he’d have to wake up a bit earlier and exercise in the morning
- said the father of the seven-year-old.
The family has a written policy regarding screen usage. The list is posted in a central location - on the refrigerator door - and, according to the video, it applies to every family member, not just the kids. So, to watch a favorite show, movie, or even scroll through the internet, a few tasks must be completed first. Which tasks? Cleaning their room, doing homework (or spending time with a book), engaging in 20 minutes of physical activity, or, for example, doing laundry and putting away unnecessary items.
These rules are simple and understandable for everyone. They work for us, and no one has a problem with them
- the father emphasized in an interview with cafemom.com.
"We need to take matters into our own hands"
Excessive screen time is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression in both children and adults.
We need to take matters into our own hands. We cannot allow children to have unlimited access to screens. It’s too easy for them to become addicted
- stresses the father, who is also a psychologist and has encountered many children addicted to phones, tablets, and televisions in his work.
It's very sad that even two-year-old children are already having problems with this. Their speech is significantly delayed, they are not developing properly, and instead of playing with peers, they are demanding to watch another cartoon
- he added.
