Don't panic - five ways to stop your kids' endless scrolling

Don't panic - five ways to stop your kids' endless scrolling 42 minutes ago Share Save Emer Moreau Business reporter Share Save If you're a parent, you may have felt somewhat validated by the US court ruling that Meta and Google intentionally built addictive social media platforms that harmed the mental health of a young woman. Lawyers for the woman, known as Kaley, argued that features of Instagram, such as infinite scroll, were designed to be addictive. Although the court ruling has been lauded as a "game-changing moment" for social media companies, it's of little practical use to parents across the world who are trying to cut down their kids' screen time. We asked some parenting experts for their tips on how to pry those phones away from their offspring's hands – even if only for a short while. 1. Start small and be realistic Many parents who have already given their children tablets or smartphones might wonder if the best thing is to just get rid of them. But that might not be the most productive option, believes child psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour. "Changing a habit is always going to be hard," she says. Instead, she recommends implementing changes at a neutral moment, not in the heat of an argument about screen time. "Calm brains communicate best." A good first step to reducing screen time could be designating a set place in the home for devices, such as a particular cupboard. "Have one place for chargers... so when the phones go away, they go on the charger and that's it." 2. Be collaborative Older children and teenagers can benefit from being part of the conversation around screen time, rather than having rules imposed on them, says child psychologist Dr Maryhan Baker. Acknowledging the peer pressure surrounding social media can help get teens onside, she says, such as telling them: "I understand that that's where you connect with your friends. I understand the social pressure if you're deemed not to be on this. I really get it. "So let's have a conversation ...