Screen time and children — How to guide your child
The screen impact on a child is high and so the parents should take precautions to ensure that their child does not become addicted to it.
The screen impact on a child is high and so the parents should take precautions to ensure that their child does not become addicted to it.
Long term effects of screen time in children
There are many long-term effects of screen time on children. The most visible ones include:
- A decreased ability to focus, pay attention, and control emotions
- A higher risk of developing ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) later in life
Children should be told about the benefits of staying away from the screens.
When you’re talking to your child about screen time, it’s important to tell them why they should stay away from the screens. Screen time is dangerous for children because it can cause eye problems, make them lazy and bored, and even make them addicted. It’s also bad for their health and relationships.
Parents can introduce board games like ludo, chess, carrom, and more which can help children to stay away from the screen for some time.
- Ludo
- Chess
- Carrom
- Snakes and ladders
- Backgammon
They can also enroll in after-school activities with other kids which will help them connect better with other kids.
They can also enroll in after-school activities with other kids which will help them connect better with other kids. These include:
- Social activities
- Sports (e.g., football, basketball, cricket)
- Music (e.g., singing, dancing)
- Dance (e.g., ballet)
- Art (e.g., painting)
- Debate and speech competitions
If you’re concerned about your child being exposed to unhealthy or violent content online or on TV, then check out the following tips for filtering and monitoring their screen time:
Parents should also introduce reading habits to their children at an early stage itself so that they spend more time reading books than spending on phones.
- Reading books is one of the best ways to reduce stress.
- Books can also help you learn about new things.
- Reading improves concentration, which is a key skill for academic success and other important life skills.
- It’s a proven fact that reading before going to bed helps you sleep better.
- Reading has been linked to higher rates of intelligence, creativity and happiness!
Parents should also set an example for their children by refraining from checking their phones or watching TV as this will motivate them to do the same.
- Parents should also set an example for their children by refraining from checking their phones or watching TV as this will motivate them to do the same.
- Set aside a time of day when you can go offline and spend some quality time with your kids. This will help them learn what it’s like to live without technology, which is important in today’s world where everything seems connected to the internet.
- When setting limits on screen time, parents need to consider that children may feel left out if they’re not allowed more access than other family members. It’s important that parents set similar restrictions for everyone in the household so nobody feels different from each other because of their age group or gender identity
The best way to get your child away from the screens is by showing them how good it is to stay away from them.
The best way to get your child away from the screens is by showing them how good it is to stay away from them. You can do this by taking up an activity yourself and inviting them along, or by simply keeping them occupied with other things.
You could also try setting a limit on screen time for yourself, as well as for your child.
If you’re not feeling like going out and doing something fun with your child, consider giving him or her a craft item (such as a set of paints) and telling them they have half an hour to use it before they go back outside!
Sinchita
Creative Personality by Profession and Heart
A creative personality by profession and heart, finds fulfilment through digital medium. By building concepts to mood boards to execution of ideas.
A vivacious person looking for beauty in every aspect of both animate and inanimate things. In her world she is often triggered by children and their colourful outlook. She leads a digital team as the chief Strategist in Delhi and finds time for social causes in her private time.
