A recent poll shows that many UK parents find it easier to get their children to do homework, go to bed or have a bath than turn off their phones, laptops and TVs, a poll finds.
A survey for the charity Action for Children found almost one in four mothers and fathers (23.1%) struggle to control their children’s screen use, reports the BBC.
But just 10% found it hard to get them to do their homework, while 17.5% struggled to get them off to bed. And just fewer than 5% found it difficult to get their offspring to have a bath.
This habitual behaviour, if not curbed, can continue through to adulthood and become a hard habit to break and that’s where it becomes a problem – as many children do what their parents do.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy says an unwanted habit or addiction is a problem behaviour over which people often feel they have no control and which can affect their lives and the lives of those around them.
Hypnotherapy has proven success in helping people quit addictions.
Habits such as overeating or smoking are the most common, but there are other behaviours that affect people’s lives and online addiction is one of them, says the NCH.
Carol Iddon, managing director of operations at Action for Children, said: “Technology is an often necessary part of the lives of children and parents alike, but it’s important to maintain a balance with other activities and quality family time,” she told the BBC.
“We know from our extensive work with families that strong relationships with parents build resilience in children, making them less susceptible to bullying or abuse outside the home, and encouraging them to speak to their parents about any fears or concerns.”
The survey findings come amid continuing concerns that many young people may be spending too much time online or watching TV.
A Cambridge University study published in September suggested an extra hour a day of television, internet or computer game time in Year 10 was linked to poorer grades at GCSE.
The researchers recorded the activities of more than 800 14-year-olds and analysed their GCSE results at 16. Those spending an extra hour a day on screens saw a fall in GCSE results equivalent to two grades overall.
“Reducing screen time could have important benefits,” said co-author Dr Esther van Sluijs.
Hypnotherapy can take those everyday behaviours in which things get distorted and where the subconscious thinks what is a protection mechanism is an unwanted habit, and turn them around..
“The good news is that you are in control, you can change how you react to certain situations, and you can protect yourself in ways that are healthy and which allow you succeed and grow stronger in body and mind. You just need to know how to change it, and to believe you can,” says the NCH.
Working with the subconscious mind, the hypnotherapist bypasses the critical mind and gets to the root of the issue so that changes can be made that support a person’s goals quickly and efficiently.