It is tempting to hand over your phone to your scream child and see them halt mid-scream. Parents may also allow their children to use screens when they are getting in the way of work or are being a superb test for patience; hey, no one said raising children was easy!
Whereas some parents are forced into giving their children tablets and phones, others are not very particular anyways about how much screen-time their child has.
However, using screens is not good for children. Occasionally, it can be fine, but these addictive devices are the not something that children use every once in a blue moon.
Constantly being on the screen, whether it be television or tablet, increases the risk of obesity, leading to health problems that require intervention of your Child specialist in Lahore then. Naturally, when your child is not getting requisite physical activity, they are then packing calories.
There are other dangers to use of screen in children. These include:
Disturbed sleep
Screens emit blue light, that then affects the sleep cycle. Moreover, many children may also sacrifice their sleep time to watch entertaining content on the screens.
Lack of adequate sleep has implications for the health, growth, and development of the children.
Impedes on socializing time
Socializing is very important for your child. Humans are social animals, and you need contact with others to feel well. However, many children are so hooked to their screens, that instead of talking to others, they’d rather watch cartoons.
This impairs their social skills, and the growth one gets from socialization.
Grades
When your children are tied to the screens, their academic performance is also more likely to suffer. Social media sites, television shows, and cartoons are extremely addictive, and leaving them can be hard for your child.
Rather than concentrating on their studies, they then waste their time over these useless activities.
Poor mental health
Social media is rampant with people oversharing their lives, pictures that are doctored and other similar content that might not only make your child have FOMO –fear of missing out –but it also may hamper their self-esteem.
Furthermore, the culture of bullying on social media is becoming fashionable, with people trolling each other and celebrities. When your child is at the receiving end of these remarks, it may cause stress and other psychological problems. Similarly, being a troll is also not a good color on them.
Mealtime
Eating in front of the screen, a practice held by many children and teenagers, is not at all good for health. It does not allow the brain to relax and promotes over-eating as well.
Harmful content
Your child may be exposed to harmful content on their devices. Pornographic and violent content is rampant on different websites, and thus, it may lead to psychological problems in your child.
Reducing screen time
It is thus imperative for parents to reduce the screen time of their children. It will not only help improve their physical health but have good impact on their emotional and mental health as well.
Here are somethings you can do to manage your child’s screen time:
Parental control and moderation
It is pertinent that you set in parental controls. Whether it be television or tablets, you should put strict controls on them so that only safe sites and content can be viewed.
Moreover, keep tabs on the browsing history of your child. Place the screens at a central spot.
Time limit
Only allow your child limited screen time and be strict with this rule.
Remove screens from their room
You should not allow any screens to be in your child’s room. Not only will it be harder for you to regulate their screen time, but they might not then get proper sleep, that will then cause health issues, requiring help from their Child specialist in Islamabad then.
