Today, it is a part of your life, even children, have gadgets. But being on screens too much can affect your child’s physical, mental, and social well-being.
Screen time can include the time children spend using electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, televisions, or computers. According to health professionals, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), limits should be placed on screen time for children, as no more than 1 hour per day for kids 2-5 years old.
Screen Time Management: Not Just Physically But Also Emotionally And Socially When the balance is upset, it can interfere with learning processes, socialization, and even the health of your babe. Related: The Dangers of Technology for Kids: Negative Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Children
1. Physical Health Issues
Here are some common health problems associated with prolonged screen time:
- Obesity: Weight gain in children is due to reduced physical activity due to sedentary behavior, like watching TV or playing games.
- Eye Strain: This can lead to digital eye strain and even long-term vision issues due to the extended screen time.
- Sleep Deprivation: Children who are constantly glued to gadgets, particularly before sleeping, often have disrupted sleep habits, most often due to the blue light emitted by screens.
2. Decreased Social Skills
Children who spend more time using electronic devices may lose the chance to interact with their parents, peers, or the environment. It can stifle their capacity to grow in any soft skill domains like empathy, communication, and collaboration.”
3. Disruption in Cognitive Development
A lot of video screen time, particularly where children are consuming non-educational material, is thought to be damaging to brain development. Studies show that playtime that is interactive (such as parents reading books) is superior for cognitive development than just sitting in front of a screen.
4. Mental Health Risks
Screen time is also linked to other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. And children may be getting more isolated because they rely so much on the digital world, making them more vulnerable to social pressures in the online world.
Indicators of Too Much Screen Time in Kids
Parents should be aware of the following signs:
- Even when their gadget use is limited, they struggle to stop
- Variations in personality, including rising aggression and impatience
- Disrupted sleep patterns like difficulty sleeping, or waking frequently at night
- Less interest or losing pleasure in physical activities or other hobbies
- More withdrawn, less communicative with family members
How to Tackle Children’s Screen Time Excess
Here are some practical strategies you can adopt to tackle excessive screen time in children:
- Set a limit: Establish a healthy amount of time the child uses a screen based on their age. You need to explain why these boundaries exist to aid their comprehension.
- Don’t Forget to Play: Suggest going outside, to play sports, or collect something new, e.g. music, painting or reading. These activities also may take the place of time spent in front of screens.
- Be an Example: Children tend to adopt their parents’ habits. For example, try not to use gadgets too much when your child eats or accompanies the family, avoid using a gadget in front of your child too often.
- Establish Technology-Free Zones: Set aside certain areas or times in the house that are free from tech, like the dinner table or bedrooms.
- Employ Technology With Caution: You can use apps or features that limit or even track the amount of screen time your child spends on electronic devices. You can pick more educational and age-appropriate content out for them, too.
So, end of the day, it might just take parents some time to control the amount of screen time but the beneficial consequences will be substantial for your kid.
