The biggest challenge for today’s parents is screen time for kids. They have a lot of questions in their minds for which they are seeking answers. They want to know:
How much screen time is not too much screen time?
Why should they limit screen time for kids?
What are the healthy alternatives to screen time for kids?
This blog has well-researched answers to all these questions. If you are a concerned parent with all such questions in your mind I assure you that you will have all your answers when you finish reading this blog.
The answer is simple:
Anytime you append in front of screens.
A lot of parents live with the misconception that the time spent watching mobile is screen time. They do not consider playing video games, or watching television screen time. This is WRONG!
Either your child is playing video games or watching cartoons or his favourite series on television. That too is screen time.
It will have the same impact on his eyes and brain as does watching mobile screens.
HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS IS GOOD?
If you are a parent with concerns about screen time for your kid one question that must be popping into your mind is :
What is the average screen time for kids?
Well, good thing we have answers to all your questions.
The best answer to this question is “zero”. Unfortunately, that is not possible nowadays. It is because from parents to grandparents and siblings we are all glued to the screens. For different ages the duration of screen time is different.
For children under two years of age, there should be no screen time. The only screen time they should experience is video calls with their grandparents or parents when they are away.
For children between the age group of two to five years old, the average duration of screen time is just one hour. Make sure they watch good content during that one hour. Content that is educational and informational.
Another thing to make sure during that one hour of screen time is that their siblings or anyone from the parents accompanies them. They should not be left unsupervised to watch.
For kids between 5 to 17 years of age, a maximum of two hours of screen time is recommended and considered healthy.
WHY SHOULD PARENTS LIMIT SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS?
Excessive screen time is spreading like a PANDEMIC..
It is not exclusive to a particular society or specific culture; it is spreading everywhere. So when we say that you should limit screen time for your kids we do have a lot of reasons.
If you are a parent then you should limit screen time for children because excessive screen time can cause the following issues in your child:
Insomnia:
Excessive screen time can cause insomnia. It is because the light rays from the screen cause the brain cells to stay awake. If your kids spend too much time in front of the screen then he or she can have a difficult time sleeping during the night. Make sure that your child is not exposed to the screen, especially when it’s near bedtime.
Weight Gain:
Obesity is a serious concern among parents these days. This is because excessive screen time has limited the physical activities of children. They remain glued to the screens and are least interested in going out and playing physical games. The result is unhealthy weight gain.
Addiction:
These small portable devices, be it your mobile phone or PSP make you addicted. The same is the case with children. Excessive screen time makes kids addicted to these devices. Especially when they start the use of social media. There’s a lot of content for kids to view and the urge to explore and watch more makes them an addict of their smartphones and other gadgets.
Sensory Differences:
We have discussed before in this blog that kids under two years of age should not be exposed to screens at all. There’s a reason behind it.
“Screen time for kids under age 2 is linked to sensory differences in toddlerhood, new study finds”
Excessive screen time during early years of life causes delays in social, cognitive and language outcomes. As you increase the hours of screen time in your kids the more the delays they will experience.
HOW TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS?
Now that you know how DANGEROUS it is for your children to have excessive screen time we have gathered some tips for you to reduce the screen time for kids. Following are some useful methods and strategies that you can use to limit screen time for kids:
Outdoor Play:
Studies reveal that you can mediate the impact of excessive screen time on your kids with outdoor play. A family bike ride, a favourite sport, a visit to the park or a meeting with friends are all perfect alternatives to screen time for kids.
Practice what you Preach:
Yes, you read it right. As a parent, it is your first and foremost responsibility to preach to your children what you follow yourself. If you limit your child’s screen time with a phone in your hand 24/7 then your child is never going to practice it. Try limiting your phone usage and screen time first. Try engaging in healthy conversations with your children. Believe me, children learn more with interactions and practice than mere lectures.
Be Mindful:
Stay attentive and be mindful of what type of content your child is watching. Parental locks are a good option but today’s kids are smart enough to dodge their parents. Never leave your kids alone with their phones and gadgets. Either accompany them or supervise them at regular intervals. It’s not a breach of privacy its Healthy Parenting!
My Two Cents:
I am sure you have got all your questions answered. Take this as a challenge and believe me it’s not impossible at all. Start today and make a strategy. Plan your day with your kids and eventually you will succeed in limiting screen time for kids. Believe me, it’s for the betterment of your child. It concerns their mental health.