The #1 Phone Boundary Every Parent Should Have

This rule may seem like common sense to you BUT you'd be shocked at how many parents are suprised when I say this during parent keynote events. I've spoke across the country to parents, helping them raise their kids in the digital world. I teach parents the 4M's of Parenting in the Digital Age to help them build trust with their kids, set boundaries, and look out for digital dangers.

What I've learned is that this one rule can make or break your kids. Of course, I'd prefer teens not have social media or smartphones until they are mature enough to be ready for all the negatives phones bring, BUT in the event that your kid does get a phone, this boundary is a must.

The #1 boundary I tell parents to set when I speak at community events is this:

No phones in bedrooms EVER! Especially not at night.

5 Reasons why your Kids SHould Never Have Phones in Their Bedrooms:

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1. Scrolling Instead of Sleeping

1 in 3 teens wake up at least once during the night to check their phones and the result is a lack of sleep and more emotional choices.

Teenagers need sleep more than ever. Kid’s brains are impulsive and lean more emotional instead of logical. Lack of sleep makes them (and you) even more emotional.

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2. Bedrooms Should be for Peace, Not Pressure

57% of teens feel the pressure to respond to messages immediately. With phone notifications on, messages come from text, direct messages, comments, and more. Can you see how that steals kid’s peace? When kids go to bed it should be to escape the pressures of the world.

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3. The "Just One More" Syndrome

Watch next episode? Steaming services, social media and games are experts and the “one more syndrome” and it’s hard to say no. Just one more, just 10 more minutes, and before you know it, it’s 2AM!

70% of teens bring their phone to bed.Teens without a phone in their room don’t have this problem.

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4. Own Your Day and Your Night

72% of teens check notifications and scroll as soon as they wake up. That means the last thing they do before sleeping is check their phone and the first thing they do when they wake up is check their phone. What this really means is that we are giving away control of our day and life to someone else, instead of creating positive habits like prayer, medication, exercise, and personal development.

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5. Secrets are Kept Behind Closed Doors

Risky content and communication is rarely viewed in public places. The truth is that secrets are kept behind closed doors. 73% of teens have seen risky content (yes THAT content) and over half saw it before 13 years old. Phones + closed doors + the dark do not increase light in your kids life, it’s a recipe for addictive habits. 

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How to get support setting boundaries?

Parenting kids with tech can be hard, but you are not alone! As a dad of four with THREE teenagers, I know how challenging it can be. I've also been through a lot of the risks and dangers you may be experience.

I created a step-by-step guide to help parents, like me, know what to do. Click here to get grab the guide and use code PARENTS25 to get 25% off

This course will teach you how to:

1. Model positive digital habits: This is the foundation because we can't tell our kids to do something you won't do yourself! You'll get the tools to create your own positive screen habits and break any addictions you have.

   
   

2. Help make screen time Meaningful: Learn why devices are negatively impacting your kids and exactly what to do about it. This will guide your kids to make device and social media use healthier.

   
   

3. Manage digital devices: They key to managing devices: setting boundaries. The digital course will help you know the right time to get your kids a phone and how to create boundaries to help them when they do get a device.

   
   

4. How to Monitor the device: The most critical step to keeping kids safe is monitoring their phone usage. You'll learn the mental health signs to pay attention to and exactly what you should be monitoring on their phones and social media.

Planning a school assembly, parent night, or event?

Let's connect about how I can inspire and help your students or audience overcome distractions to pursue what matters most. Let's make your next assembly unforgettable. Visit my booking page!