How to limit screen time for kids | How smartphones are affecting their speech and brain development

 Kids of today’s generation get exposed to technology and gadgets too soon; to be specific, even at times before they learn to speak properly. In every situation giving smartphones in the hands of toddlers and kids has become a solution that most parents adopt these days. But there are still some important questions you know about when it comes to kids and gadgets. How much screen time is good for kids? At what age parents should give phones to their children? 

Parents are in habit of giving phones to their children in several situations such as when they cry, don’t eat food, get bored or a bribe for completing their homework. Such habits increase their screen time from 5 hours to 6 hours, which is not healthy for the kid’s eyes and physical health. They are exposed to gadgets at the minimum age of 2.5 years. 

When toddlers get hooked on tablets and smartphones, they may unintentionally hinder their still-developing brains.

The ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend attention, to sense other people's attitudes and communicate with them-all those abilities are harmed.

Young children learn by exploring their environment and watching the adults in their lives and then imitating them.

Excessive screen time may hinder a toddler's ability to observe and experience the usual everyday activities they need to engage with in order to learn about the world. It also leads to a kind of "tunnel vision," which can be harmful to overall development. It will not just affect their capability to learn new things, but also the way they interact with others.

 Although gadgets can’t be avoided completely by kids, sooner or later, are going to take notice of digital technologies and start using them. So it’s better to learn some new ways to reduce the screen time of kids. Also, you can’t ask your kid to not use a phone when he/she sees you doing the same thing the whole day. So, you can lead by example to lessen the screen time of your kids.

Mobile phone addiction among children is growing rapidly. They are being pulled away from the real world. They have started finding comfort in the virtual world. Parents should sit with their children and help them learn new things (as it not only helps them in learning quicker but also, strengthening the parent-child bond) rather than giving them phones to do the same.

Children and their phones are inseparable today, and all that reading and playing games on their handheld devices may be harming their vision. Whether you keep the TV on all the time or the whole family sits around staring at their smartphones, too screen time could be dangerous.

Report of National Institutes of Health (NIH) study indicates that children who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests.

While some kids with more than seven hours of screening time, a day experienced thinning of the brain's cortex, the part of the brain associated with critical thinking and reasoning.

 DELAYED GRATIFICATION – kids need everything instantly. Get things soon and get bored soon. Delaying as much as possible is good.

Avoiding screen time during eating and sleeping. Also, for the proper growth and development of children, the use of digital media should be restricted while eating meals, or one hour before sleep.

screen time has been associated with impairments in language development and behavioral, psychosocial, academic, and physical wellbeing.

            

Internet is huge and resourceful. there is so much knowledge to gain. What content our kids are watching is very important.

1.  We, Elders should also try to reduce screen time.

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