Screen time and kids
In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of our daily lives. From smartphones and tablets to computers and TVs, children are surrounded by screens more than ever before. While technology offers numerous educational and entertainment benefits, it also raises important questions about how much screen time is appropriate for kids and what impact it has on their development.
Screen time refers to the amount of time spent using devices with screens, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. In the digital era where screens are omnipresent, parents and educators grapple with the question of how much screen time is appropriate for young children. To understand this we need to know both the positive and negative effects of screen time on children and find a healthy balance that promotes well-being.
The Positive Side of Screen Time
It’s easy to think of screens as a negative influence, but they can also provide many advantages when used thoughtfully:
- Technology can be a valuable teaching tool. Educational videos and digital tools in the classroom can support the concepts that are being taught or help children to understand the concept more.
- For older kids and teens, screens can help them maintain social connections with friends and family, especially in today’s digital-first world.
- Playing video games can improve coordination, fine motor skills and teamwork
- Certain digital activities encourage creativity, such as drawing apps, music production tools, and even coding games. These activities can stimulate problem-solving skills and innovation, which are crucial in today’s technology-driven world.
Certain digital activities encourage creativity, such as drawing apps, music production tools, and even coding games. These activities can stimulate problem-solving skills and innovation, which are crucial in today’s technology-driven world.
The Negative side of screen time.
- Screen time can disturb kids’ sleep. First of all, the exciting content of many video games and movies can wind a child up when they should be winding down for bed or a nap. A better strategy is to practice consistent, healthy habits to protect your child’s eyes during screen time. And when it comes to sleep, the best thing you can do is limit screen time, particularly in the hours before bedtime. Aim for no devices or screens for one hour before bedtime.
- It can affect their eye sight. Children with eye fatigue may complain of headaches, eye pain, or feeling tired, headaches. They may lose interest in tasks such as reading. Studies show that people of all ages blink far less often when concentrating on a screen, which in turn causes the eyes to dry out.
- Screen-based entertainment, such as gaming or social media, can become addictive. Kids might struggle to regulate their screen time, leading to unhealthy dependencies on digital devices.
Completely remove screened devices from children’s lives is not possible. What we can do we can take some measures to reduce the screen time. Finding a healthy balance is key.
Recommendations for Parents:
- Follow guidelines for screen time, such as no more than 1–2 hours per day.
- Kids aren’t always the best judge of time, especially when they’re engrossed in a game or movie, so consider using a timer to encourage those breaks.
- Encourage Physical Activity. Ensure kids balance screen time with physical exercise and outdoor play.
- Be mindful of what children are exposed to on screens, ensuring it’s age-appropriate.
- Use the “20-20-20-2 rule.” During any concentrated visual task, encourage your child to break focus every 20 minutes, focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and blink 20 times. This allows the eyes to relax and to return to their natural position and baseline settings.
By
Amruta Mishra
Science teacher
