The statistics are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys suffer child sexual abuse at some point in childhood. And 91% of child sexual abuse is done by someone the child or child’s family knows. Other statistics say that 60 percent of child victims are sexually abused by someone their family trusts. And about 40 percent of child victims are sexually abused by older or more powerful children.

Effects of child sexual abuse:

Sexual abuse can leave long-lasting effects on the child, hampering their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. It can cause physical injuries, lead to unwanted pregnancies, and may even cause health issues later in life, including heart disease, obesity, and cancer. There may be many adverse psychological effects as well that can torment the victim throughout life. Sexual abuse can lead to depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, abusive behavior, or other behavioral problems, and increased risk of suicide or suicide attempts.

How to prevent child sexual abuse

Sexual abuse can destroy the life of even an adult. But when children face it, the effects may seep even deeper and be less obvious but longer-lasting. So, you need to ensure your child’s safety. Here are some ways you can save your kids from child sexual abuse:

Know what’s happening in your child’s life:

You may be busy. Still, you need to stay involved in your child’s life. And you need to be aware of what they do, where they go, who they meet, and how they are passing their time. Show interest in your child’s day-to-day life. Encourage them to talk to you freely and openly. Ask them about how they feel about different persons in their life. This will help you notice if the child feels uncomfortable or troubled with any person or place.

Be careful about caregivers:

Don’t trust anybody blindly. Whether it is a new babysitter, teacher, coach, or even a neighbor — screen them carefully before entrusting them with your child’s care. Remember, a large number of children are sexually abused by people their family trusts.

Teach your children:

Talking to your children about good touch and bad touch or sexual abuse is an uncomfortable conversation. But it is necessary. Talk to your children in age-appropriate language about good touch and bad touch. Give them the confidence that they own their body and can refuse anybody’s touch, even if it is a hug from an uncle or aunt. From a young age, teach your children the proper names of the body parts so they feel comfortable about their body and can talk about it without embarrassment.

Teach your children about arousal:

A child may become more vulnerable to sexual abuse if attacked by a skilled molester who will make the child experience arousal. As it feels good, the child may equate the act with love and become willing prey to the bad guys. You need to teach your child that touching certain parts of their body will evoke a physiological response. But they must never allow anybody to touch these parts (mouth, chest, private parts) or to undress them. The children must have the confidence that they own their body and can say no to any touch. You will also need to tell them about ‘safe touch’ by parents and doctors, which is needed to ensure their hygiene and health.

Assure your kids:

Assure your kids you are available for them whenever they want to talk about anything. Tell them they can ask you or tell you anything. Assure them that if they experience abuse, it will not be their fault and they need not hide it or feel ashamed of it. Tell them they won’t get into trouble no matter what they wish to communicate to you. Give them the confidence that you are there to help them, no matter what the problem. Do it repeatedly. This will give them the confidence to confide in you if anything makes them uncomfortable.

Educate yourself:

Despite all your assurances, your child may still hesitate to tell you about the abuse he or she is facing. So, you need to be watchful. Different children would react to the abuse and trauma differently. But if you notice any marked change in the child’s behavior, find out the reason behind it. Your child may suddenly start wearing baggy clothes, or cut her hair very short, try to look unattractive, or starts showing extreme reactions to minor problems … all this can result from the abuse he or she is facing. If you notice any marked difference in your child’s behavior, talk to your child, and understand the problem.

Believe:

If your child becomes a victim of sexual abuse and tries to tell you about it, believe it. And tell your child, “I believe you.” Don’t interrogate them yourself. There are professionals who know how to find out things without making the child relive the trauma. Get the child professional help as soon as possible. And assure them it is not their fault.

Conclusion:

Child sexual abuse is a nightmare no parent wants to think about. But avoiding this topic can prove too expensive. Teach your child from an early age that they own their body and make them comfortable in talking about it. Give them the confidence that they can talk to you about anything. Be very careful while choosing caregivers for your child. And if you notice any marked change in your child’s behavior, find out the reason behind it without any delay.

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But is the use of technology good or bad for children? Well, the answer lies somewhere in between. Technology can benefit kids in many ways. It can harm them in many ways too. Let’s take a quick look at the main advantages and disadvantages of children’s use of technology.

Advantages of Children’s use of technology:

1. Development of skills:

When you let your child spend some time with smart devices or computers, it may help them develop necessary skills faster. For example, many smartphone apps and games for young children are designed as learning tools. They can help in developing the child’s hand-eye coordination, dynamic spatial skills, and fine motor skills. When the children watch cartoons, they often repeat the dialogues and sing along with the songs. This helps in developing their language skills. Spending time with smart devices and computers may also help in children’s visual attention. It can help them to maintain focus for a longer duration. Also, certain apps and games may give children a habit to pay more attention to details to complete tasks.

2. Educational tools:

Technology can be a great educational tool. It can help children learn their lessons in a more fun way. Developmentally appropriate computer programs can improve your child’s reading and math skills. Even many schools across the world are using innovative technology to impart education.

Technology brings the world’s knowledge at your child’s fingertips. Their learning need not be limited to their course books. Children are curious beings by nature with minds full of questions. Technology can help them find all the answers they want. Proficiency in using technology also prepares the children for good professional opportunities in future.

3. Motivation to complete tasks:

Many smartphone or computer games require children to complete various levels. They are required to solve problems, find solutions, and to keep trying till they succeed. This may help in developing children’s problem-solving skills. And may develop a good foundation to keep the child motivated to complete tasks at hand.

4. Broadens horizon:

Technology brings the world of knowledge to your child. Through various audio-visual means, including 3D and Augmented Reality, children can see and learn things beyond their scope of experience. Online courses can also give them knowledge and skills beyond their school curriculum. It can enhance their creativity by letting them explore more creative ideas and skills.

For older children, technology is not just helpful but essential. They need it to compete with their peers. They need it to stay connected with their friends. It also allows them to connect and build relationships with people from faraway places.

5. Security:

Parents can also use technology to protect their children. Smart wearables and tracking apps can help parents keep track of their children’s whereabouts. Phones can keep children stay connected with their family even when they are far away.

However, while the use of technology can help kids, its abuse can harm them too. We have seen some advantages of technology for kids. Let’s take a look at its harms too.

Dangers of children’s use of technology:

1. Bad effect on health:

Too much love for smartphones, tablet devices, and computers can have several bad effects on your child’s health. Staring at screens for a long duration can hurt their eyes. Too much screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. It can cause obesity and other health problems. Love of smartphones and computers may even lead to smartphone addiction and gaming disorder.

2. Habit of finding an easy way out:

The Internet brings the world of knowledge within your child’s reach. It can be very beneficial in broadening your child’s horizon. But they may also abuse the great power of the internet to make their study work easier. For example, copy/pasting the information from the internet, instead of studying a book to learn it. This might help them score well but will hamper their learning.

3. Psychological problems:

Spending too much time with gadgets can also result in psychological problems like social withdrawal, loneliness, depression. Children who spend too much time communicating through social media and messaging apps may feel awkward in face-to-face interactions. They may have poor social skills. Playing violent games too much might even increase their aggressive response and reduce their empathy. Spending too much time with smartphones and computers might even lead to smartphone addiction and gaming disorders.

4. Poor performance in studies:

Love of smartphone games, social media, online videos, etc. may divert children’s attention away from studies. This might lead to poor performance in school. And that, in turn, may lead to several psychological issues like lack of confidence and depression. And, of course, it harms their future scope too.

5. Exposes children to cyber threats:

Children’s unmonitored use of smartphones and computers can expose them to unsuitable content and cybercriminals. Children do not recognize the threats of the cyberworld. And their curiosity may take them to dangerous and unsuitable places on the internet. This may put them in danger and lead to traumatic incidents.

Conclusion:

In today’s world, our life is surrounded by gadgets. So it is impossible as well as unadvisable to banish your child from using technology. Modern technology can be very beneficial for your child. It can help in developing their skills, give them support in studies, and broaden their horizon. At the same time, it can be very harmful and dangerous too.

So children’s use of smartphones and computers must never be unmonitored and unregulated. And it should never be allowed to affect their physical and psychological health. You, as a parent, need to be very watchful to make sure your children are using technology, not abusing it. And that their use of gadgets is within healthy limits.

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Most popular mosquito repellents have one of these three active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE).

DEET:

DEET has been used in mosquito repellents since 1965. Over the years, there have been some reports of DEET causing rashes, skin irritation, and even seizures. But most of the serious reactions to DEET involved the drinking of the chemical or using it in other unsafe ways. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved DEET for people of all ages, including children. And the American Academy of Pediatrics considers insect repellents containing DEET safe for children older than 2 months.

Insect repellents carry DEET in varying strength. Some repellents might have only 10% DEET, others might have 30%. The higher concentration of DEET does not mean the mosquito repellent is more effective. It just means its effect will last for a longer duration. Using repellents with more than 30% DEET might not be safe for kids.

 Picaridin:

Picaridin is the second most common active ingredient found in insect repellents. It is an odorless synthetic chemical that resembles a compound found in peppers. Its use in bug repellents is relatively new. And it might lead to a few side effects like irritation in the eyes. It has not yet been studied as extensively as DEET, but it is generally considered safe for children.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus:

This is an oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus Citriodora tree. This oil contains a compound called para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) that can block the skin odor and prevent mosquito bites. That is why OLE is used in many insect repellents. These repellents are safe for children older than 3 years. But OLE’s effects on younger kids haven’t been fully tested yet. And experts don’t recommend direct applying of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on the skin.

Natural repellents:

Many parents don’t want to use chemical-based mosquito repellents on their children’s skin. They look for natural and chemical-free alternatives containing plant oils like citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood. These might be effective to an extent but need to be reapplied more.

How to use mosquito repellents on children?

Mosquito repellents can protect children from many diseases caused by bug bites. However, improper use of them can cause problems too. Here are the precautions you need to take for safe use of mosquito repellents:

1. Avoid using repellent on infants younger than 2 months. Prevent the mosquito bites by using netting over the baby’s stroller when going out.
2. Children younger than ten years should not apply the mosquito repellents themselves.
3. Never spray mosquito repellents directly on your child’s face. Apply it on your hands first.
4. Be careful that the repellent does not enter the child’s eyes or mouth.
5. Only use the mosquito repellent on the skin not covered by clothes.
6. Don’t put the repellent over injuries like cuts, wounds, skin rash.
7. Don’t use more repellent than necessary. Using a DEET based repellent once a day is enough.
8. Read the label of the repellent and follow all instructions carefully.
9. Don’t spray the repellent in a closed area or near the food.
10. Always wash your hands after applying the mosquito repellent on your child.
11. When the child is back from outside and the mosquito repellent is no longer needed, wash it off.

Other precautions you can take to keep children safe from mosquito bites:

1. Prevent mosquito breeding in your house. Get rid of standing water in your home, yard, or garden. Remove anything that can collect water and become a breeding ground of mosquitoes. This includes broken garden pots, birdbaths, unused tires, buckets, etc.
2. If children are going out of home, dress them in long-sleeved shirts and long pants in light colors. This is especially important during dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes are most active, or when your children are going to an area where there might be many mosquitoes.
3. Shoes and socks are better than sandals to prevent insect bites on feet.
4. Tell your children to stay away from places like drains, garbage cans, etc. More mosquitoes hover around such places.
5. Avoid use of perfumes, scented soaps, or hair sprays on children as the scent may attract insects.
6. Use screens on doors and windows to keep the mosquitoes out of your home.

Mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. Other insects like ticks can also cause several health problems. So, it is important to keep children safe from bug bites. Careful use of mosquito repellents can keep your children protected from mosquitoes.

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You want to keep your children safe from all dangers. So you must ensure they stay safe from sexual predators and pedophiles too. Such criminals can be present anywhere. At school, or even at home as a trusted relative or neighbor. So it is imperative that your kids know when they are being wrongly touched. And that they can communicate this to you.

Tips to teach your child about good touch & bad touch.

1. Open Communication:

Tell your children, again and again, that they can talk to you about anything and should tell you everything. And when they try to communicate, give them your attention. You might be busy with a thousand things. But when your child talks to you about his or her social life or experiences, listen carefully. If you feel they are not telling you everything, ask questions, encourage them to open up. Make the child feel that you really need to know and understand whatever they wish to communicate. That you are there to help and protect them, so they need not hide anything from you.

2. Anatomy lessons:

As soon as your children are able to understand, teach them the names of their body parts. This will make them comfortable talking about their body. It will also help them tell you in case someone touches them wrongly. Teach them which of their body parts are private and must not be touched by anybody.

3. Use correct language, images, and videos:

Don’t avoid using correct anatomical names while teaching body parts to your kids. You need to give them the confidence that there’s nothing embarrassing in talking about their body. Talk about their body parts in a loving yet practical way.

Children learn more easily by seeing visuals. So you can use appropriate images and videos from the internet to help them learn their anatomy.

4. Their body belongs to them:

From the beginning, assure your children that their body belongs to them. Nobody has the right to touch them if they don’t like it. They have a right to refuse anybody’s hug, kiss, and any such touch. Not all these touches will be bad. People often want to hug and kiss kids out of affection. But when a child knows she can refuse such forced affection, she will be more confident in protesting against a bad touch.

5. Don’t confuse them:

When you are teaching your children they can refuse anybody’s touch, you must not force them to hug or kiss anybody. You may want them to hug their grandmother or kiss an uncle. But it will only confuse them. Teach them the value of family and love, but don’t force their affection.

6. They have a right to protest:

Tell your kids in clear language that if someone’s touch makes them feel uncomfortable, they must say NO loud and without fear. They should tell the person to Stop and scream and run away. And they should tell you about this at once.

7. Go beyond the swimsuit rule:

Many people suggest you should teach your child the swimsuit rule. That is, tell the child that all the parts that their swimsuit covers are their private parts. And if anybody touches them, they must say no, scream, shout, and run away. But don’t just stop at this. Most predators don’t begin by touching the child in private parts. They first groom the child by hugging, patting hair, etc. So teach your child to protest if any touch makes them uncomfortable. And to inform you about it.

8. Safe touch:

While you teach your child to protest against all unpleasant touches, you must also teach them that touch of mother, father, and doctor is safe touch. Explain to them that even when a touch of parents or doctor feels unpleasant, or when these people ask the child to remove his or her clothes, it is for the child’s safety. You don’t want your child to refuse a doctor’s check-up, do you? Tell the child that they must allow touching of private parts or other uncomfortable touch by parents and the doctor, but nobody else. Explain to the child the reason for this.

9. Avoiding people who make them uncomfortable:

Teach your kids that if some person makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable, they should stay away from such a person. But they should always tell you what makes them uncomfortable. This is essential so you can take the necessary steps to protect your child whenever needed. If your child wants to avoid a person or place, they must tell you why. And you need to listen carefully and understand what’s troubling them.

10. It’s not their fault:

Help your child to understand the right touch from wrong. And tell them if they ever experience a wrong touch, it will not be their fault. And they must not hide it. They must not blame themselves for anybody else’s wrongdoing. If somebody touches them in the wrong way, they must not feel guilty or ashamed of it. They should tell you everything so you can help them.

You should start teaching your child about good and bad touch by the time they are two years old. And continue talking to them about it till they are at least seven years old.

Talking about good touch and bad touch is uncomfortable. But preparing your child to recognize and protest against scarring incidences is important. Sexual abuse at an early age can leave long-lasting bad effects. But when your children are prepared against molesters, they can face them better. And they can understand that the incidence was not their fault.

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Adults can understand all this and restrict their movements. But it is very hard for children to understand why they cannot step out of their home or why they need to stay away from the isolated family member. Parents need to be very careful to keep children safe from Coronavirus. They must also ensure kids are happy and relaxed and not getting terrified by the situation.

If you are a parent worried about your children, here are some important things you need to understand:

Are Coronavirus symptoms different in children?

It will be a relief for you to know that Coronavirus symptoms in children are usually milder than adults. Of course, in some cases, the children can become critically ill too from COVID-19. But the percentage of such cases is less compared to adults. Also, infants might have more severe symptoms than toddlers and older children. This is because infants’ immunity isn’t as developed as that of the older kids.

One study in China has revealed the following about children affected by COVID-19:

• Infants: 11% have severe symptoms.
• 1 to 5 years old: 7% have severe symptoms
• 6 to 10 year old: 4% have severe symptoms
• 11 to 15 year old: 4% have severe symptoms
• 16 years or older: 3% have severe symptoms.

Among the children studied in China, it was also revealed that about 4 percent of them were asymptomatic. That is, they had no symptoms of the illness. 51 percent of the affected children had mild illness. 39 percent of the affected children had moderate illness. And about 6 percent of children developed critical illness. This is much less when compared to 18.5 percent of adults. It must be noted that children with a pre-existing medical condition and special healthcare needs may be more at risk of developing severe symptoms.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus symptoms in children and adults are similar. But children might also develop vomiting and diarrhea.

How to keep your children safe from Coronavirus?

While children are less likely to develop serious symptoms from COVID-19, you must still try to keep them safe from it. This is especially important if someone in your home has the infection.

• Don’t let your children go to crowded areas like public parks. Try to keep them engaged at home.
• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself. Teach your children why you need to stay away from them.
• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, wash the toys you might have touched recently before letting children play with them.
• Keep the high-traffic areas clean and sanitized. These include door handles and other surfaces children often touch.
• Designate a caregiver among friends, family, neighbors to take care of your children if you need to isolate yourself and have nobody else in the home to look after kids.

How to talk to your children about Coronavirus?

We may think children don’t know what is happening in the world. But if you are listening to the news all day and discussing the coronavirus pandemic at home, your kids have heard and seen enough to make them scared. They might not reveal their fears to you. So, it is up to you to talk to children and remove their anxiety. This is especially important if anyone at home is in self-isolation or quarantine.

• Talk to your children in age-appropriate language and educate them about the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Use the example of other viruses like influenza to explain Coronavirus effects.
• Explain how social distancing and staying inside the home will keep them safe.
• If a family member is under self-isolation or quarantine, explain to the children why they need to stay away from such people.
• Being confined within homes can be hard for children. Keep them engaged in interesting activities.
• Teach your children the importance of washing their hands with soap and water carefully and frequently.
• Assure your children this is a temporary problem and all will be well soon. Answer their questions patiently and try to alleviate their fears.

Conclusion:

Keeping children safe and happy is a top priority for all parents. Not an easy task even at the best of times. COVID-19 has made it even harder now. But with proper care and precautions, your children can stay safe from the Coronavirus as well as anxiety and boredom it might cause them.

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While it is impossible to predict and prevent every accident, there are many things you can do to reduce the most common dangers. Given below are some of the most important precautions you need to take to keep your children safe.

How to keep your children safe at home?

1. Little things:

Babies and toddlers may not like eating food, but they all enjoy putting random things in their mouth. They will pick up things from the floor and swallow them. This puts them in danger of infections. Worse, it puts them in danger of choking. Things like buttons, coin batteries, small magnets, beads, etc can be a serious health hazard for little kids. Ingesting of magnets and batteries can prove fatal if the child swallows them. When a coin battery is broken down by the acids in the stomach, it can cause alkaline poisoning. And if the child ingests several magnets, they can stick together in the stomach and cause perforation.

• Keep your floor clean of litter.
• Keep anything that can be swallowed out of the reach of children.
• If any toy uses coin battery, seal it off with thick tape.
• Remove all magnets from your child’s room and toys.
• Don’t put fridge magnets where your child can reach them. Do the same with other tiny things that your child might swallow.

2. Toys:

Be very careful while buying toys for your children. Toys with many little parts can be a hazard. Children can pull those parts out and swallow. Some toys might have sharp edges that might cause cuts. Some might have magnets and coin batteries. An older child’s toy can prove harmful to the younger sibling. Even soft toys can prove dangerous.

• Examine a toy carefully before buying it for your children.
• Tell your older kids to keep their toys away from the younger siblings.
• Make sure your older kids are not using their toys in a dangerous way. For example, flinging a heavy toy high and trying to catch it can cause serious injury.
• When you put a toy in your baby’s crib, make sure there’s no danger of the baby suffocating on it.
• Children can use their toys in many dangerous ways. So be very careful of the toy you give them, and how they play with it.
• Children can also make toys for themselves. A cardboard box, a wrapping paper, a kitchen bowl — kids can use anything to play. Make sure nothing dangerous comes within their reach.

3. Water:

Drowning is one of the biggest risks for children. A child can drown even in a bucket of water. So, you need to be very careful about keeping your children safe from drowning.

• Never leave your children unattended near water.
• If you have a swimming pool, make sure your children can’t enter it unattended.
• Don’t let pool toys remain scattered near or in the pool when you are not nearby. Attracted by these toys, your child can fall into the pool.
• Keep your bathroom door closed.
• If you have a toddler or a baby old enough to crawl, never keep a bucket full of water anywhere in your home.
• Keep your toilet seat covers down.
• Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub. Never put the child in a bathtub without first testing the water temperature.
• Remember that your bathroom can be the most dangerous place for your young children. You need to be very careful.

4. Windows:

Windows attract little children a lot. And this can be very dangerous. Unsafe window blinds with dangling cords can prove hazardous. Children love playing with ropes. But it’s best to keep these out of their reach.

• Try to install safer window treatments like cordless or motorized window blinds.
• Children can also climb on the windowsill to look out. These can prove fatal. Try to secure your windows with safety grates. Make sure there’s no climbable furniture near the window.

5. Chemical substances in the house:

You may not realize it, but your home is full of chemicals. Medicines, cosmetics, cleaners can be commonly found in homes. Insecticides, pesticides, paints, and polishes are often present too. A young child can ingest any of them out of curiosity. And the results can be grievous.

• Keep all such chemicals away from the children. Better to lock them in secure cabinets.
• Keep the child safety caps on medicines engaged.
• Never leave pills within the reach of the child, even if you are stepping away for just a minute.
• Keep your cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants out of a young child’s sight too.

6. Falls:

All children fall now and then. It is a normal part of growing up for kids. But some falls can be life-threatening. And it is upon you to look out for them and prevent them from happening. The danger is not just in children falling from a height. Many serious accidents occur when things fall over them. For example, a child trying to open a tall cabinet can make it topple over him or her.

While it is impossible to foresee all such accidents, there are many precautions you can take.

• Secure the stairs by installing safety gates at their top and bottom.
• Secure the windows with safety grates.
• Keep the floor free of litter to reduce the risk of tripping.
• Don’t let children climb on the furniture.
• Keep the height of cribs set to lowest.
• Make sure all heavy furniture like dressers, bookcases, tall stools, television sets, etc. are wall-mounted or secured to stop them from toppling.

7. Electricity:

Look around and notice how many electrical appliances you have in your home. How many electrical outlets and cords. Each of them can put your child in danger. You can’t remove these from your home. But with a little precaution, you can minimize their danger.

• Never leave a child unattended near an electric appliance.
• Switch off and unplug the electric appliance when it is not in use.
• Secure all electric outlets with well-fitting safety caps.
• As much as possible, keep electric wires and cords out of the reach of children below ten years of age. If that is not possible, check them regularly to make sure they are not frayed or have any other fault. Replace the wire immediately if you notice any such thing.

8. Weapons:

Even a sharp pencil can be dangerous for a little child. Can you imagine how hazardous an unattended weapon can be? If you have a gun or any such weapon at home, your child might get curious about it and pick it up for play.

Every year, many children get injured from the weapons kept at home. You might be able to keep these away from little kids. But if a ten-year-old decides to play with your gun, he or she will devise a way to reach it. It is up to you to make sure your weapon does not harm your child.

• Keep your weapons under lock.
• Teach your kids how dangerous the weapons can be and why they should never touch them.
• Never handle or show off your weapons in a way that tempts your children to play with them too.

9. Sharp objects, and other such dangerous things.

• You also need to be careful about things like a kitchen knife, screwdrivers, electric drills, nails, etc. Keep all such hazardous things away from children. These can cause serious injuries and even death.

Conclusion:

For a little child, anything can prove dangerous. You, as a parent, need to be watchful and alert. As much as possible, remove all hazardous things or lock them up. Try never to leave your young children unattended. With care and precautions, you can make your home safer for your children.

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The radiation from mobile phones can damage children’s health. The blue light emitted from their screen can hurt their eyes. And the unrestricted and unmonitored use of smartphones can expose children to inappropriate content and cybercriminals. They might even develop gaming disorder.

How to protect your children from smartphone addiction

1. Keep them away from mobile phones as much as possible.

Restrict the use of mobile phones by children. Avoid buying phones for kids until they are at least 16 years old. Younger children have thinner bones so the cellphone radiation can severely affect their vital organs.

If your kids must use a mobile phone, teach them healthier habits.

• Encourage them to use a wired headset instead of pressing the phone to the ear.
• Don’t let children use a mobile phone in a car. The metal body of the car blocks signals. This causes the mobiles to increase their power to catch signals. So, the radiation of mobile phones is more in a vehicle.
• Don’t let children use mobile phones in places where the signal strength is weak. The radiation would be more in such areas.
• And don’t let them use a smartphone before sleeping or in dark. It can hurt their eyes and disturb the sleep cycle.

2. Balance, don’t banish:

Smartphones can be useful educational aids. And for older kids, they have become vital for maintaining social connections. You should keep phones away from babies and young kids. But it may not be possible to prohibit older kids from using mobiles. The better alternative is judiciously determining how much time they can spend with a mobile, and when. Set limits and try to maintain them.

3. Make your kids aware:

Give a detailed explanation to children about the harms of smartphones. Tell them about its ill-effects on their physical and mental wellbeing. When kids understand the dangers of spending too much time with their phones, they would be more willing to obey the smartphone restrictions you set.

4. Be a good example.

Children are very susceptible to learning by influence. If you want them to restrict their use of smartphones, you must restrict your use of smartphones too. And if you want them to adopt healthy habits, you need to lead by example. If you spend most of your hours staring into your phone, you can’t tell your kid not to do it. Set a good example and restrict your use of the smartphone.

5. Keep them active.

Smartphone addiction pulls children away from physical activity. Kids just want to spend time with their phones. The lack of physical activity can lead to obesity and worse problems. Staying indoors most of the time might affect their social life, too. So try to make them more active. Make them play games that require physical exertion. Once they start taking interest in playing and spending time with their friends, their smartphone addiction will automatically reduce.

6. Keep them engaged:

Try to find activities children might enjoy and keep them engaged. Encourage them to take up healthier hobbies like sports, gardening, cooking, handicrafts, etc. Kids might be unwilling to leave their phones and take up any other hobby. Try to pull them into it little by little. If you think your kid might enjoy gardening, start by asking his or her help for just ten minutes. Then gradually increase the time. Make sure children get a sense of achievement out of the activity. Once that happens, they will start spending more time on it.

7. Make rules with your child:

Setting down rules is vital for preventing and combating smartphone addiction. But don’t make these rules all by yourself. Include your children in the decision. Explain to them the harms of using smartphones too much. Understand their needs. And fix the rules about their use of mobile phones together. Set limits upon the time they spend with a phone, when they can use the phone and when it is prohibited.

8. Use the 5-minute warning:

If you order children to put the phones down when they are in the middle of a game or chat, they will hate you for it. Do it often enough and they will start rebelling and disobeying. It’s better to give them an advance warning that their mobile phone time is getting over. Give them a 5-minute warning and let them windup whatever they are doing on the phone.

9. Use technology to fight smartphone addiction:

Set a password on your phone so your children can’t use it without your permission. If your kids have a phone, install apps on the mobiles to monitor and limit their smartphone use. Don’t feel guilty about intruding into your children’s privacy. Their wellbeing is your responsibility. So, you must do what you need to do to keep your children safe. And don’t hesitate in letting your kids know you are keeping a watch on their phones.

Conclusion:

Smartphones have become an essential part of modern life. You can’t totally banish it from your children’s life. Instead, it is wiser and more effective to teach them judicious use of it. And lead by example.

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