Archive How to Block Phones from Interrupting Your Child
Schoolgirl typing on her phone with books around her

Blocking Phone from Interrupting Your Child

Tannaz

Tannaz

Table of contents:

    There are usually two types of activities: Ones that we do spontaneously, without having to make an effort to get started, and ones that require a certain level of determination. Watching a movie, eating an ice cream, or spending hours on our phones are placed in the first category. On the other hand, brushing our teeth when we are sleepy at night or blocking the phone from interrupting us count as the second category. Unfortunately, we can’t make any progress in life by doing only the easy fun stuff, and neither can our kids. 

    In this article, we will suggest some effective ways to help children avoid distractions and concentrate while studying.  

     

    Why Block Phones from Interrupting Your Child?

    A report from Common Sense Media states that about half of teenagers say they feel addicted to their smartphones. Also, 60% of parents are worried their children are spending too much time on their phones. These numbers about phone usage among the younger generation are a cause for great concern. 

    Teenagers are at a very important point in their lives. They should make decisions for their future. To do that, they should find out what their talent and interests are and practice them. But so many distractions, the biggest of which is the phone, make it hard for them to focus on their studies.

    Excessive Screen Time, the Enemy of Academic Performance 

    Our lives have changed a lot since the advent of the internet. We have a plethora of data in our hands that we can use to our benefit. Most of our questions can be answered with a simple click. However, just as a car makes our commutes shorter, it can also run us over and crush our bones. So, it’s important to know how to use it efficiently. 

    A 2020 article shows that there is an inverse relationship between phone usage and academic performance. The more time students spend on their phones, the lower grades they get. Of course, this doesn’t mean that parents should become technophobes and deprive their children of phones. It just means that the time spent on the phone, and more generally on the internet, should be controlled. Read our blog on how to protect your child from screen addiction. 

    Teenage boy drinking coffee looking at phone with books around

    What Can You Do?

     

    Be Supportive 

    Remember that your child wants to excel in their studies just as much as you do. Try to have a conversation with them rather than just being authoritative. Pick a proper time to talk with them about how much extra time they are spending on their phone and how that can affect their performance. Ask them about ways they feel comfortable to avoid being distracted by their phone and work on it as a team. 

     

    Put the Phone at a Far Location 

    This may look pretty obvious. But, sometimes, it’s as simple as that. Not having the phone at arm’s length can stop your child from being tempted to just pick the phone up and check their social media. However, if they’re participating in an online class, this might not be the best decision, as they will probably need their phone. 

     

    Give Them Breaks 

    If you set unrealistic goals for your child where there is no room for breaks, they might get fed up with the whole plan. Remember that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” So, try to give them incentives that will help them focus on their studies. For example, promise them to have takeout or go to the movies if they finish their homework without getting distracted. 

    You can also implement an interval-based schedule such as the “Pomodoro Technique.” This technique consists of 25-minute study sprints with 5 minutes of rest in between. Keep in mind that it’s not black and white. You can modify the timings based on your child’s characteristics and the activity they’re doing.    

     

    Three teenagers studying around a table

    Encourage Them to Participate in Study Groups 

    Studying in a group puts your child in the mood for studying. It can be harder for them to get distracted by a phone when they are studying with other people. Also, consider taking them to a library where there is silence and few distractions.  

    If none of the above is possible, there are some videos on YouTube for people who need to feel the company of another person to study. These videos are basically several hour-long videos of some person studying. Just search “study with me” and see some examples. 

     

    Turn Off Phone’s Notifications 

    You can turn the notifications of your child’s phone off or restrict access to certain apps. In Android phones, it’s usually through the Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls option. On Apple devices, you should look for the Screen Time option. Read about the steps for activating parental control on iOS devices in this link. Also, most phones have a Do Not Disturb mode you can turn on to deactivate notifications temporarily.

     

    Use Parental Control Apps 

    Parental control apps offer a wider variety of features than a phone’s own settings. You might want to consider using one of these apps to improve your child’s focus while studying. Safes is one of the best parental control apps on the market. Using this app’s features, you can: 

    • Get screen time and activity reports and find out which apps or websites are consuming most of your child’s time 
    • Set a time limit for each app 
    • Create a personalized schedule for phone use 
    • Restrict access to certain apps in desired locations; for example, you can block Instagram when your child is at school 
    • Instantly block certain apps. 

    Feel free to check out Safes subscription fees and free trial. Download the app now to provide your child with a more efficient online experience!

     

    Conclusion 

    There is no perfect way to miraculously increase your child’s focus on their studies and guarantee their future. Every child has their own personality and needs that parents should pay attention to. It’s possible, on the other hand, to block the phone from interrupting them when they are studying. But usually, that’s not enough.

    The important thing is that they shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by so many restrictions and rules. It can be useful to sit down with your child and see how not getting distracted by their phone has contributed to their progress. Encouragement always works better than punishment.

    Tannaz

    Tannaz

    At auctor lacus fusce enim id tempor etiam amet. Et consequat amet eu nulla nunc est massa dui consequat. Facilisi adipiscing nec condimentum sit laoreet non turpis aenean in. Aliquam cursus elementum mollis sed accumsan nisl ullamcorper in.

    Want to know more about digital parenting?

    Our newsletter is your go-to source for staying updated with the latest information on parenting and online child safety. Subscribe to our once a week must have tips, to simplify parenting in the digital age. Read the editor’s top pick of the week to ensure a safe online experience for your child.

    More from Our Blog

    The Best Educational and Learning Tablet for Preschoolers
    Boost your child’s learning skills with a learning tablet for preschoolers! Here, you’ll learn what features to look for and various options for your kid.
    Rana Mazahernasab

    Rana Mazahernasab

    A Parent’s Guide to NPC Streaming and If Its Safe for Kids
    Learn about NPC streaming, TikTok’s latest interactive trend, and discover essential safety tips for parents. Is NPC streaming safe for kids?
    Mohammad

    Mohammad

    Boy playing with smartphone
    Sony smartphones don’t exactly have a reputation for being most suitable for children. However, if you’re keen on buying a Sony smartphone for your child, or if you simply want to toss your old Xperia their way, there are a few things you need to do. To make Xperia a more kid-friendly device, you should put parental controls on your child’s Sony phone. 
    MahsaV

    MahsaV

    kids getting punished
    Do you take away your child’s phone as a punishment? Read this blog to see why you shouldn’t take away a phone as a punishment for kids. 
    Atena

    Atena

    Get Weekly Parenting Must-Knows in Your Inbox

    Deepen your parenting knowledge with our tips and tricks. Receive our editor’s top picks in your inbox once a week—no spam guaranteed.

    Download Safes Kids for Chrombook

    1. Install the Safes Kids app on your Chromebook from Google Play. 
    2. Pair Safes Kids with parent app. Follow the instructions in the app to pair your child’s device with your parent device.  
    3. Add the Safe Kids Chrome extension. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store. 
    4. Navigate to the Manage extensions page. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select “Extensions”>”Manage Extensions”>”Details”
    5. Turn on “Allow in incognito mode” This will allow the Safe Kids extension to work in incognito mode, which is important if your child uses incognito mode to try to bypass the parental controls.
    6. Select Safes extension and follow on-screen instruction

    Download Safes Kids for Android

    Download the Android Kid’s app directly to get the full features!

    Download Safes Kids App on Play Store

    Download Safes Kids App on Safes.so

    Safe Kids is available on the Google Play Store, but if you download it directly from our website, you will get access to Call and SMS monitoring feature, You can monitor the phone calls of your child’s device, as well as the contacts and messages they have sent and received, including those containing inappropriate content.