Screen time effects on kids
Introduction:
Screen time refers to the amount of time a person spends using electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets etc. It also includes activities like browsing the internet, playing video games, and using social media to watch poems, dramas, movies etc.
Today children spend more time using mobile phones & tablets etc. instead of other physical activities.
Medical science explains that most children's mental development occurs in the first 5–6 years. Children should be engaged in many physical activities like playing, observing nature, learning social behaviors and communication skills etc.
These activities are essential for their healthy mental growth. Screen time also causes depression in teens as well.
Keeping in mind, the adverse impacts of more screen time, parents should set rules for children for using electronic devices. In addition to this, parents should keep an eye on their kid’s screen time activities to ensure their online activities. It’s important to have open communication and set boundaries regarding screen time and the content they consume.
How much screen time is allowed for children:
AAP American Academy Pediatrics has issued some recommendations:
1) Children under the age of 18 months should be restricted from using mobile phones. Children under this age are growing rapidly by learning from parents, siblings, and others. For 18–24 months aged children, parents should introduce high-quality screens for their learning. Parents should make sure that their activities on screen are informative. Screen time for this age should be one hour per day.
2) Parental supervision is more important for children aged from 2–5 years while using mobile phones.
3) From the age of 6 and onward most parents feel okay to use the screen for their children. The average screen time for children is 2 hours per day but 46% of children of this age are using screens more than 2 hours. At this age, over time screening may cause aggressive behavior, obesity, sleeping problems, weak learning skills, and depression.
4) According to research, 10% of children busy using mobile phones suffer from ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Hormones called melatonin, dopamine, and oxytocin get started to produce access leading to hormonal imbalance which causes stress, depression, obesity, and premature puberty.
Screen quality effects:
v The screen has positive effects as well. For the cognitive development of children, screens play an important role. Screens have strong potential to improve visual and insight learning behaviors if used correctly.
v By considering the positive effects, instead of mobile phones, parents should set up screens like television as it is not moveable and it ensures secure distance from the eyes.
v Blue light from mobile phones, laptops, and tablets causes various optical issues like weakness of the retina, eyesight issues, and headaches. Parental limitations play an important role in children’s cognitive activities, physical activities, and social responses.
v Research has witnessed a rapid increase in electronic media use in families. There are two positive aspects of screen media usage.
- To study the correlation and demographic factors.
- To study cognitive development.
EFFECTS OF SCREEN TIME:
ABCD (adolescent brain cognitive development) shows that children using screens more than 7 hours a day had comparatively a thin cortex than others. The natural biological clock (sleep-wake clock) is also disturbed.
v Hormonal problems:
Excessive screen time causes a delay in releasing hormones called melatonin, which causes hormonal imbalances leading to various health problems like obesity, anxiety, stress, and brain inflammation.
1. Cortisol, the chronic stress hormone, causes stress and anxiety in children.
2. Using a mobile phone for one hour produces as much dopamine hormone as 10 hours of playing with a mother.
3. Children become addicted to mobile phones, laptops, tabs, and games.
v ADHD:
According to some latest researches, screen time affects dopamine Hormone (neurotransmitter) production leading to ADHD ( attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Symptoms of this disorder are short temperament, aggressiveness, and over-emotional behaviors. Screaming and shouting loudly become more common in children.
v Poor learning skills:
According to medical sciences, children spending more time using mobile phones or tablets have poor cognitive growth. They have a poor ability to listen when we talk to them. They are weak in completing their school tasks. Children don’t develop the ability to learn from their surroundings.
v Blue lights effects:
Blue light radiation coming from the screen affects the eyes. It weakens the eyesight and causes weakness of the retina and headaches. Blue light exposure at night impact mental health by messing natural rhythm of the body, disturbing the sleep-wake cycle, and stimulating the brain.
Conclusions:
v Parental supervision of screen time could prevent children from the dangerous effects discussed above. Mothers should make sure that their children have no screen time for kids during bedtime. In addition, parents pay attention to their kid’s physical activities.
v Both mother and father have to teach their children what sort of activities should be on screens.
v Block websites with immoral and indecent material. Teach your kids to choose the right content on the internet.
To reduce the proportion of non-essential screen usage, intervention measures should be explored.
