How To Limit Children’s Screen Time?

Coronavirus has led to significant changes in people’s daily lives, first through lockdowns and then through the implementation of SOPS. The practice of online classes has also grown in educational institutions. The use of mobiles, computers or laptops for education is compulsory.

Although digital devices are integral to educational content, including endless entertainment, do you know how unlimited screen time can be detrimental to children and your family?

The first thing parents need to know about advanced technology is how to limit children’s screen time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested that parents set a reasonable limit on entertainment media, but despite these recommendations, a study by the Henry J. Caesar Family Foundation found that children between the ages of 8 and 18 average Seven-and-a-half hours a day are spent on entertainment media, while adults spend 11 hours a day with a screen.

So, first of all, it is important to know how to screen timing is hurting you.

Why is too much screen time harmful?

Character issues:
More than 2 hours of screen time for early school-age children increases the chances of developing problems such as emotional, social and difficulty concentrating.

Educational issues
The presence of television in the bedroom of early school-age children can have a detrimental effect on academic performance.

obesity

Watching too much TV or playing video games on mobile phones can lead to obesity.

Sleep problems
Screen time before bedtime can cause problems such as sleep disturbances, the light emitted from the screens can interfere with the sleep cycle and cause insomnia.

Violence
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, what children watch on TV (violent TV shows, music and video games) can eventually be imitated.

The reason for the damage to family relationships

One-third of children surveyed by AVG in 2015 considered themselves insignificant because their parents were busy with their smartphones while eating and playing.

The prompt reply of parental messages also made children think of mobile as more important to parents than themselves.

As a parent, checking your cell phone frequently while caring for a child can also affect their mental and physical development.

According to a 2016 survey, parents’ attention to digital devices increases the likelihood of children developing mental health problems.

Tips to Reduce Screen Time of Your Children

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• Tell children to turn off video games when you are sitting with someone, even while watching TV.
• It is important for parents to set a healthy screen time for their children.
• Restrict the use of digital devices while eating.
• Children should not be allowed to use digital devices on weekends when family members are together.
• The car should adopt the nine-screen method.
• Avoid screens in bedrooms and occasional digital detox throughout the week can be effective.
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• Make sure you are screen-free at least one night a week or month. Establishing these rules and regulations can have a positive effect on everyone’s physical and emotional health.