Mummy, Gimme the Phone!

In today’s digitally immersed world, screens have become an integral part of daily life for people of all ages, including children. In some homes, its even impossible to share a meal without the interruption of phones. From smartphones and tablets to televisions and computers, screens offer endless opportunities for entertainment, education, and communication. Certainly, technology undeniably has its conveniences and has significantly simplified various aspects of life. However, as the age-old adage goes, perfection is a myth, and even the most beneficial innovations come with their caveats. With increased screen time comes a growing concern about its potential impact on child development.

Understanding Screen Time:

Simply said, screen time is the amount of time spent in front of a screen for activities such as watching TV, playing video games, using computers, or browsing the internet. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), excessive screen time can have adverse effects on children’s physical health, mental well-being, and socio-emotional development.

Physical Health Concerns:

One of the primary concerns associated with excessive screen time is its impact on physical health. Prolonged sedentary behaviour often leads to a decrease in physical activity levels, which can contribute to obesity, poor posture, and musculoskeletal issues in children. Moreover, excessive screen time is linked to irregular sleep patterns, which can impair overall health and well-being.

Cognitive and Socio-emotional Development:

Beyond physical health, excessive screen time can also affect cognitive and socio-emotional development. Studies suggest that prolonged screen exposure during early childhood may impede language development, attention span, and problem-solving skills. Excessive screen time can also interfere with the development of social skills and emotional regulation, as children may spend less time engaging in face-to-face interactions and more time in solitary screen-based activities.

Content and Context Matter:

It’s important to note that not all screen time is created equal. The content children engage with and the context in which they use screens play a crucial role in determining its impact on development. Educational programs, interactive games, and supervised screen time can provide valuable learning experiences and enhance cognitive skills when used appropriately. However, passive screen time spent watching mindless videos or playing games that contain violent content may have detrimental effects on children’s development.

Balancing Screen Time with Other Activities:

Parents need to be involved and play a big role. The important thing is to find a good mix between screen time and other activities that help kids grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests planning for how much time kids can spend on screens. This plan should consider how old the kids are, what they’re watching or doing on screens, and if it’s good quality content. It’s also important to encourage kids to play outside, read books, engage in creative activities, and spend time with family and friends. All these things help kids grow up well-rounded and happy.

Modeling:

Parents play a crucial role in helping their kids use screens in a beneficial manner, thus avoiding negative effects. They can do this by showing their kids how to use screens in a healthy way and by joining in when their kids are using screens. It’s also important for parents to talk openly with their kids about screens, set rules about how much time they can spend on screens, and keep an eye on what they’re doing on screens. These things help kids learn to use screens in a smart and safe way from when they’re young.

Am I suggesting a complete elimination of screen time? It’s a dilemma I find myself grappling with too. So let me sum it up this way, screens can be good for learning and fun, when the boundaries are well drawn and discussed. On the flip side, too much time on screens can be bad for kids’ growth. Parents and caregivers can help by knowing the risks of too much screen time and by teaching kids to use screens wisely. It’s important to balance screen time with other activities like playing outside and spending time with family. This way, kids can grow up healthy and happy in today’s world of technology.

The next time you feel like exploding in frustration because your little tech genius just outsmarted you in front of everyone, take a deep breath and remember you’ve got to hold your ground. It’s all about teaching them from an early age that there’s a right time and place for everything, even for their digital antics. After all, who said parenting was just about changing diapers and singing lullabies? It’s also about mastering the art of keeping up with the tiny titans of the digital era!

This article has been written by Martha Ogonjo.

Please also check out IFFDs latest research on the impact of technology on child development.

Image Credits: Image by freepik