Let’s take a look at some shocking stats about screen addictions -
- There are 5.19 billion mobile phone users in the world.
- On average, a smartphone user checks their device 63 times a day.
- 71% of users sleep with their mobile phones beside them.
If this is the state of adults in the world, we must take a look at the impact screen addiction has on children. According to a report by American Community Survey (ACS) in 2019, some 95 percent of 3- to 18-year-olds had home internet access, according to the American Community Survey (ACS).
Specifically, 88 percent had access through a computer,2 and 6 percent relied on a smartphone for home internet access. Most of what young toddlers learn is through imitation of adults they see in their daily lives.
This can lead to "tunnel vision," which can have a negative impact on overall development if kids are spending too much time staring at a computer screen rather than out in the real world. It has an effect on the points listed below as well.
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Behavior problems
Children who watch TV or use a computer more than 2 hours per day are more likely to have emotional, social, and attention problems.
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Educational problems
Elementary school-age children who have televisions in their bedrooms do worse on academic testing.
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Lethargy
Engaging in a sedentary activity, such as watching TV and playing video games, can be a risk factor for becoming overweight. It promotes a harmful and unhealthy lifestyle which will become a norm as children grow up.
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Sleep problems
Many parents turn to television to help their children settle down before bed, but this might backfire. Computer screens disrupt the brain's circadian rhythms, which can cause sleeplessness.
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Violence
Desensitization to violence can occur as a result of children being repeatedly exposed to violent media such as television, movies, music, and video games. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, kids may resort to violence to resolve conflicts or copy violence they witness on television.
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Attention Span
Screen time reduces children's ability to focus and increases their tendency to act on the spur of the moment. A child's likelihood of having attention issues at school rises 10% for every hour they watch television. A child's nervous system is being trained to expect constant, quick stimulus.
Recommended Screen Time Limits
When you're sitting in front of the television, advising your child to turn off their video games won't do anyone any good. For both your own and your child's sake, it's critical that you put reasonable limitations on the amount of time you spend using electronic devices.
18 months and younger -
Avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting.
18 - 24 Months -
Digital media should only be introduced to 18- to 24-month-olds if they're watching high-quality programmes with their parents to help them comprehend what they're seeing.
2 - 5 Years -
Screen time should be limited to no more than one hour per day of high-quality content. Media viewing should be done as a family activity so that kids may apply what they've learned in the movies or on the television to their everyday lives.
6 - 12 Years -
Limit the amount of time spent on media, as well as the types of media used, and make sure that media does not replace healthy habits like getting enough sleep, moving around, and engaging in other forms of physical activity.
12 Years and Older -
Establish media-free zones in your home, such as the bedroom, for times when you and your family should not be watching TV or talking on the phone.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Conclusion -
Screen time isn't always bad. The finest thing you can do for your child is to teach them how to use technology safely and responsibly. It's critical to choose your on-screen applications carefully. Children's academic skills can be improved by using high-quality educational programmes and interactive media.
When it comes to children, it's critical to be present and avoid using electronic devices. In the 21st century, it may be nearly impossible to avoid watching television or surfing the internet. Alternatively, you can join them and watch the show together. The benefits of face-to-face encounters can be reaped when children spend time on screens.
Another key consideration is to maintain a healthy ratio of time spent online and out. Time spent with family or at mealtimes and bedtimes should be free of devices. Parents should limit their own screen time to set an example for their children because they emulate what adults around them do.