In the 21st century, most families now have both parents working. People’s thinking has changed with time. As a father contributes to the family, so does a mother; Just to ensure a bright future for the child. There is no shortage of efforts by parents to ensure that children get the best at home and outside! In this situation, the greatest trouble that must be confronted isn’t having the option to give sufficient opportunity to the kid The outcome is the kid’s screen time, which sometimes goes to abnormal levels!
This is not only a concern for corporate parents, however. Homemaker is also for moms who stay at home all day. It can be seen that for household management, cooking, and small tasks, many times children have to hand over various devices so that they stay still for a while. Maybe there could be no other choice. Security additionally rings a bell, whether to allow the kid to play outside, where to send it or on the other hand if there is any issue. Furthermore, in many spots, there is no space to play. Therefore, for a child who is housebound, these devices are the only means of entertainment or time management. So today’s topic is baby screen time. Today we will learn about its harmful effects and strategies to control additional device addiction.
Baby Screen Time:
Screen time is how much time a kid spends on a gadget. Anything can be a TV, tablet, or mobile phone. Kids can observe a few instructive projects or interesting kid’s shows, rhymes and tunes at a particular age for learning. Be that as it may, about screen time, it is fundamental to consider what the youngster is watching, how long it will endure, and whether it is fitting for their age.
How long can you use the screen at any age?
1) According to ‘The American Academy of Pediatrics’, children under 18 months should not be allowed screen time at all. Only video calls with relatives can be allowed for a while, but not for long.
2) 18-24 month olds will only share some screen time with parents and it must be age-appropriate content.
3) 2-5-year-old children can have 1 hour of screen time and that is an educational program.
4) For children aged 6 or above, parents should fix the time and monitor whether the child is watching any other Harmful content outside of it.
Harmful effects on children:
This is a condition from which it is not easy to get out. Children and even adults are seen spending hours on screen time. It’s like an addiction. Little by little a lot of time goes behind it. Let’s find out how excess screen time can affect children’s development.
1. Disturbances in sleeping patterns:
If you focus too much on cartoons or games, your baby will not want to sleep on time. Excessive screen time disrupts a child’s vision and sleeping patterns.
2. Learning not to recognize food:
One thing to note, for screen time the child does not understand the taste of the food or how much he is eating. Handing over the device while eating is very common. It keeps his attention less on the food and more on the screen! Does not even learn to recognize food. At times, reluctant to even eat because of the attraction to the screen.
3. Changes in ritual use:
Children love imitation. Children are constantly learning from the cartoons or videos that are playing on the device. Be it good or bad. It also changes his entire behaviour. Sometimes he gets stubborn, angry, and hyper. That is, these things can hurt the time of his personality buildup.
4. Spend less time with family:
Children with more screen time tend to spend less time with family. Their emotional development is delayed due to a lack of social bonding. These children also show reluctance to go outside and do not mix well with other children.
5. Speech delay:
Screen time reduces activity in children. Less movement can cause them to gain weight and that triggers other physical problems. If you sit in front of the TV or mobile phone all day, speech problems, hearing loss, non-response when called etc. can be a problem. In a word, the physical and mental health of the child becomes a barrier to development.
6. Loss of interest in sports:
Too much screen time reduces children’s interest in reading, and sports. His creativity diminishes. He expresses reluctance to do anything new.
7. Fear or trauma:
Maybe let the child watch a video on a learning topic. Now along with the good, various healthy content is also very easily available on YouTube. Your child has accidentally viewed content that may hurt their brain. If he sees something scary, he may not get out of that situation easily and it is not very difficult to become a victim of trauma. It is normal for this fear or trauma to hinder his emotional development.
So what is not learning?
Many parents think of videos or cartoons as a medium for baby talk. This is not quite right. Some can be learned from videos, such as saying salam or ‘hello’ when meeting someone for the first time and saying ‘bye’ at the end. They catch these little words. But language is not fully developed or learned at this age because it is a one-way communication. Your child can only see what is happening on the screen but no communication is taking place. The result is speech delay!
Screen Time Control Techniques:
1. Give the child time. Don’t give up the device immediately if the child is upset. In it anything is easily found in him, this attitude works. Later, if he doesn’t get it, stubbornness works in him.
2. Give away toys that will help the child develop. For example, children like building blocks or drawing. Along with that, develop the habit of reading books.
3. There is a separate YouTube channel for kids, you can give that. Block unwanted videos. Keep the mobile with kids-friendly settings.
4. Along with loving the child, it is also important to discipline the child in the right way. As if he understands what is good for him and what is bad. But some children need extra care. Observe how your child reacts.
5. Take him out on holidays and let him socialize with other children. You can take him to zoos, parks, and playgrounds to reduce his interest in screen time.
6. Take the child along in small chores around the house, so that he gets interested in learning the work. Even if you can’t encourage him. For example, drying clothes, watering plants, passing small things during cooking or baking, etc. Of course, he will act according to his age.
7. Now there are many preschools or childcare institutions. You can keep the child there for some time as per your ability. This will keep him away from screen time for most of the day. Will learn new things.
8. Above all, change yourself. How to stop your child if you are addicted to the device? Avoid using the device unnecessarily in front of the child. If you need to use a mobile phone, explain it in front of him.
Working parents should:
If both parents work, make sure that the person who is looking after the child throughout the day does not give the child a mobile or smartphone. According to age can watch TV for a while, but not all day! Get him used to gardening, taking care of trees, and painting. Give your child quality time at leisure, and talk more.
This was today’s discussion. A good upbringing of a child involves a better future for yourself, the society and the country. So don’t let excess screen time hinder your child’s full development. May every child grow up well.