My Son Uses the Mobile Too Much. What Can I Do as a Mother?

If your son is on the mobile all day, you are not alone, and it is not too late to change it. You do not need a big plan. A few small changes at home work better than shouting. The steps below come from UNICEF India's tips for cutting down screen time. They are for sons and daughters, and for fathers too.

Why does my son want the mobile all the time

Because it is easy, it is fun, and it is always nearby. A game or a video never gets boring and never asks him to wait. Children also copy what they see, so if the mobile is in every adult's hand, he will want it too. This does not mean you did something wrong. It means the habit needs a new shape.

Should I take the mobile away completely

Not suddenly, and not as a punishment. UNICEF India advises parents to look at what children do on devices, what they watch and who they talk to, more than to count the time only. A child who is learning, drawing or video calling a cousin is in a different place from one who watches the same clips again and again. Start by finding out what your son does on the mobile. Then decide what to keep and what to reduce.

How do I make the mobile harder to grab

Keep it in one place, a little far from him. UNICEF India suggests keeping devices in a fixed spot away from the child, so they are not within reach the moment he feels bored. It also suggests keeping other things easy to reach instead, such as puzzles, board games and comic books. If he uses your phone, you can keep the games and video apps closed and open them only at the time you choose.

What can my son do instead of using the mobile

Give him a few easy choices. UNICEF India suggests at least one family meal a day without any device, because talking at the table helps a child's feelings and eases stress for everyone. It also suggests puzzles, board games and comic books at hand. Beyond UNICEF's tips, our advice is to sit with him for the first ten minutes of a game or puzzle, and then let him go on by himself. It is also fine if he is bored. UNICEF India says it is good for children to get bored sometimes, because they use their imagination to find a way out, and that children do not need constant entertainment. If he says "I am bored," you do not have to rush with the mobile. You can say "think of something," and wait.

What about the mobile at bedtime

Put it away well before sleep. UNICEF India suggests no screens for two hours before bedtime, because it makes it easier for children to fall asleep and wake up on time. Keep the mobile out of the bedroom at night, so that the plan does not depend on his willpower or yours.

Do I also have to change

Yes, a little. UNICEF India says household rules about too much use of electronics should apply to everyone, not just to children. If you scroll during dinner, a no-mobile dinner for him will not last. You do not have to be perfect. Saying "I will keep my phone away too" is enough to start.

You do not need to fix everything this week. Pick one step, such as a device-free dinner, and do it every day. Then add the next one.