Between smartphones, computers, television and video games, your family's home is likely filled with electronics and technology. Could you benefit from unplugging and putting the electronics away, even if just for a few hours?

"On average, a child uses technology for seven hours a day. Teens and young adults use technology for 11 hours a day, which leaves very little time to sleep and do other activities," said Dr. Mira Slizovsky, a pediatrician based in Palmerton. "It's extremely important that parents have a plan for technology use, and that this plan is being discussed and negotiated up front."The American Pediatric Association recommends limiting the recreational use of "screen time," whether with a phone, computer or television, to two hours a day for school-age children. This two-hour limit is in addition to productive time used to complete homework."This should be a rule for everybody, not just for kids and not just for adults," she said. "Adults should lead by setting a good example."Slizovsky encourages her patients' parents to set up a media-free zone in their house, and to keep television outside of the bedroom and dining area.She said limiting technology should never be done as a punishment, but by mutual agreement. Talk to family members about what you could be doing with the time that you're currently spending on technology, and find fun alternatives that appeal to their interests."Teenagers should participate in the negotiation of this plan, rather than being given rules," she said.It's simpler to influence younger children, said Slizovsky, who noted that the ADA recommends no screen time (television, phone or computer use) at all for children under the age of 2. Young children still find spending time with their parents to be fun, and are more willing to adapt to any changes you suggest."Believe it or not, it's much more pleasurable to be with their parents and be engaged with their parents than with a screen," she said. "You need to ingrain in them, very early, that it's more pleasurable to do things together."Don't forget to teach social limits as you're discussing healthy technology use, she said. Turn off phones in the movie theater and doctor's office, and other places where you are expected to be quiet. And remind children that interacting with the person in front of you should take priority to the gadget in your hand."Media is not a part of you, as your eyes or your arms are a part of you," said Slizovsky. "It's something that you can switch off and still function well. This is kind of a first step for controlling the situation."No matter how hard we try, media tries even harder," she said. "Our children will still use media a lot, whether they like it or not, so be sure that the time that they use with the media is quality time."