Gone are those days when children used to play around cheerfully at a park or on an open ground, giggling and squealing with delight. It is no longer in ‘trend’ now. The ‘thing’ of today is sitting inside, on a phone, computer and/or a tablet, playing some game or surfing the internet which has increased the screen time for children. Internet has virtually seized all the facets of human life, including the childhood which has raised the need to regulate screen time for children.
The “GEN Z” children are the first one to be raised entirely in the digital era. Astonishingly, most children by the age of three have started the usage of screens.
It is not uncommon to see children as young as two, knowing how to use a smartphone.
Keeping a tab on screen time of children can be challenging. It is essential to know where to draw the line and limit the child’s use of electronic devices.
Impact of Screen Time on Children
May it be big screens of televisions or small screens of smartphones, the appeal of these devices for children is irrestible. However, there is no denying the fact that there are a few positive effects of screen time on children like:
- Educational content can help sharpen the child’s brain
- If utilized appropriately, internet has a fortune of information that can help children build their resources and strengthen their knowledge
- Provides an engrossing and fascinating medium of learning
- There is a growing body of research displaying positive effects of gaming like increased cooperation, teamwork, enhanced decision-making and problem-solving skills, etc.
However, these pros can very rapidly and easily backfire, if the screen time of children gets out of the parental control. The downside of this is much more appalling.
Negative Impact of Screen Time on Children
- Obesity – As ‘play time’ turns into ‘sit time’, it can intensify the risk of child obesity.
- Sleep troubles – A portion of light emitted by the screens is called ‘blue light’ which can disrupt your child’s normal sleeping cycle if there is too much exposure of it and in addition to that, making things worse, would it being at a wrong time of the day. It tricks our brain into thinking it is still daylight. This can have several other serious health consequences.
- Behavioral issues – Preschoolers and elder children who have the screen usage of more than 3-4 hours a day, are known to have behavioral problems at school and at home. They resort to violence and aggressive behaviors more often as they are desensitized to it because of the exposure to violent content on TV or internet.
- Social skill concerns – Since in-person interaction of children and teens have waned, their emotional intelligence is hindered. Their ability to understand facial expressions, tone of voice, and certain nonverbal cues and to respond empathetically is marred. This can severely affect their social life.
- Health problems – Only two hours of exposure to a screen can cause headaches, neck or shoulder pain, eye strain, dry or irritated eyes, reduced attention span, and irritability in children. With the amount of screen time today, children are vulnerable to grave health consequences.
- Addiction – More and more screen use make adolescents susceptible to addictions like gaming addiction or internet addiction. Children become increasingly dependent on these mediums and experience high distress when the smartphone/computer/tablet is taken away from them.
- Teen-depression – Overuse of social media can also lead to depression in teenagers. Screen time increases the activity of central nervous system which in turn can lead to increased anxiety. It is not always possible to control the content they are being exposed to.
- Long-term effects – When we consider children whose brains are developing with each passing day and to be exposed to so much screen, that too at such young age can cause permanent damage to their brain. It can cause serious speech delays, harm future academic performance, impede memory formation, ability to concentrate, ability to think critically, etc.
One important factor that parents often ignore is the effect of passive screen time on children. For example, when children playing in the room where parents are watching news containing violent graphics on TV. It is important to be mindful about our own usage while controlling the screen use of children.
Regulate the Screen Time
Most of the negative effects of screen time are triggered by excessive use of screen time. Hence, it is crucial to develop rules or follow some guidelines regarding children’s use of the screen. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2017 has made some recommendations regarding the screen use of children:
Maintaining a Balanced Screen Time for children at Home
Children are fast observational learners. If they see their parents using smartphones or laptops all the time, guess what they will learn and model?
It is important to practice what you preach. Keeping a few household rules regarding screen time that is common to all the family members will go a long way. Here are a few tips you can follow to limit the quantity and to improve the quality of screen time –
- No-screen zones – Establish rules regarding no-screens during family meals, in car, in child’s bedroom or during family fun time unless absolutely urgent or school/work-related use. This will help you cut down on your own screen time and your child’s too. Once in a while also consider a ‘digital detox’ of a day or two for the entire family.
- Keeping record – Track the amount of time the child is spending in front of a screen and also the time he/she is spending outside playing or exercising. Try to keep a balance between these activities and ensure that screen time does not lead to lesser physical or outdoor activities.
- Engage more – Involve yourself with what your child is watching or doing on the screen. Know your child’s friends and preview the apps and games your child uses. Ensure that your child is nearby during screen time so that you are able to supervise him/her. Use parental controls to filter the content your child is being exposed to.
- Encourage digital literacy – In spite of all the precautions you are taking, it is quite easy for your child to be exposed to inappropriate/violent. Hence, it is important to educate your child regarding such situations and what behavior you would expect from them then. Communicate with your child how internet can be a dangerous space if not used in the right way and not taken necessary care in its usage. Show them how to differentiate between trustworthy and fraudulent content.
- What is an appropriate Screen time for children? – It has become normal and OKAY for teens to be involved in online friendships/relationships through various social media platforms. But the adolescent should be aware of and understand what is appropriate and allowed. Teach them what is sexting, cyberbullying, or hacking/stalking and why it is so dangerous and unsafe. Once in a while, monitor the teen’s online and social media behavior. Let them know that it is absolutely fine to come to you or seek your help anytime they face any difficulty, may it be online or offline.
References –
- Shah, R. R., Fahey, N. M., Soni, A. V., Phatak, A. G., & Nimbalkar, S. M. (2019). Screen time usage among preschoolers aged 2-6 in rural Western India: A cross-sectional study. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 8(6), 1999–2002.
- https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_206_19
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-in/parents/screen-time-for-kids/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/behind-online-behavior/201604/what-screen-time-can-really-do-kids-brains
- https://screentimelabs.com/parent-advice-about-kids-screen-time-age-by-age/
- https://thriveglobal.com/stories/screen-time-guidelines-for-kids-of-all-ages/
- https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/art-therapy
To read similar or more interesting blogs please visit Minds Healer Website and to stay upto dated follow our Social Media Accounts.
