Educational psychologist: banning a child’s phone is pointless

Taking away a child’s phone is pointless, since a ban only gives rise to struggle, said educational psychologist and co-founder of Smart School Shamil Akhmadullin.

In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he named ways for parents to distract their children from gadgets during the summer holidays.

The expert suggested agreeing in advance with the child about how much time per day he can scroll through the feed. At the same time, it is important that the rule be general: if an adult himself does not let go of the phone, no restrictions will work, he noted.

“The gadget is addictive because it gives quick pleasure without effort. You can compete with it only with something that captivates you no less. To do this, it is better to choose more interesting activities that train the brain and “teach you how to learn.” The child will enjoy achieving results through effort and feeling like a winner,” said Akhmadullin.

According to the educational psychologist, games with strategy are suitable for this: chess, Go and any games for planning and calculating moves.

“This is direct training in thinking and the excitement is no worse than on the phone, only obtained with your own mind. Riddles, rebuses, age-appropriate puzzles are also suitable. Detectives, codes, labyrinth. The brain loves difficulty if it is possible and there is a chance to win. Both attention and logic develop here,” the expert shared.

Design and experimentation are also great, the specialist added. So, you can assemble a model together, perform a simple experiment in the kitchen, build something from scrap materials, he listed.

At the same time, Lenta.ru’s interlocutor urged not to expect the child to give up the phone on his own and engage only in intellectual games. At least for the first few days you will have to be close and play with him, since it is togetherness that makes the alternative attractive, he concluded.