It’s a common scene in a general household where mom is getting her chores done in kitchen & children are watching TV on their favorite cartoon channel. Nobody can dare to touch the remote & change the channel.
Similar is the situation with mobile phone. I know families where children won’t take a morsel of food in their mouth unless they are given a phone to watch. Parents often brag that it makes it so much easier to feed their child with smartphone.
But is so much exposure to screens safe for our children? How much screen time should our children have?
Below are the recommendations from WHO (World Health Organization)
- Infants (less than 1 year): Screen time is not recommended for children with age less than a year.
- Children 1–2 years of age: For 1-yearolds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.
- Children 3–4 years of age: Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.
Consequences of too much screen time, being sedentary
- Behavioral development –Children benefit most when they engage in conversations with other people. Children who have watched TV since infancy show language and speech delays due to lack of in person communication. They are also likely to show hyperactive and aggressive behavior.
- Weight Gain – Sedentary lifestyle with excessive screen time can contribute to weight gain, obesity & other health related issues.
- Sleep Disruptions – Watching screens close to bedtime can disturb sleep patterns leading to poor sleep quality.
- Reduced productivity & Impact on Academic performance – Excessive screen use can distract kids from studies, reduce focus & ability to concentrate.
- Negative Effects on Vision – Prolonged screen time, with inadequate breaks can contribute to vision problems.
- Social challenges – With reduced face to face communication, child may have difficulty in developing and maintaining real life relationships.
The goal is not to take away screens but to help parents manage time on screens and frequency of breaks.
- If your child is watching TV/mobile phone, make sure they take frequent breaks in between.
- Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.
- Make sure you know the content your child is watching. Learn about and use parental controls.
- Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums.
- Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
Finally, we must remember that children need lots of outdoor playtime. Physical activity, fresh air & sunshine are best for a child’s overall development.
If you are concerned about your child’s screen time, talk to your pediatrician or family physician.
Reference articles
9789241550536-eng.pdf (who.int)
WHO guidance limit screen time for children (aoa.org)
Screen Time and Children (aacap.org)
