Screen time for kids
Published on September 10, 2020
Qurat ul Ain
Student at University of Peshawar
As most of the moms around the world I’m also struggling with my kids screen time. So many questions cross my mind i.e. Am I getting too bossy? How much time should they watch the screen? Is it affecting their health and behavior? What if my kids start getting away from me because of NO to mobile or t.v or laptop and many more? I think almost every second mom has the same feelings..
Well in today’s world which is full of gadgets you can’t restrict your child from these things because our lives revolve around these gadgets. Whether you need to set an alarm or you need to set a reminder mobile has replaced so many things. Laptop is also of much use as most of the online work/job is done through it...so when you constantly use these things and your child watches you it’s most obvious that he will also want that thing same as if you are eating a chocolate it’s impossible to eat it without your kid asking for it..Their little minds are more curious than ours. They also want to have a look at what’s inside this small world which has surrounded our parent. And once they see it and they start watching it you can’t take it from them. They will ask for it again and again and you can’t say no to them all the time.
We can’t cut away these things from our lives but we can try to reduce their use and same applies to kids. We can reduce screen time for them. Recent studies have shown that reducing screen time for kids have a positive impact on their physical and mental health.
These electronic media devices are dangerous for health of children as well as adults. More use of devices is directly linked to not getting enough sleep, slows down brain activity because of the rays. Also reduces kid’s physical and mental activities.
According to a 2014 report by the Center, as children get older and spend more time using screens, there is a measurable drop-off in the amount of educational activities they engage in.
Other health issue may also hit the child sooner or later like attention problem that is the child can’t give proper attention to studies or any other brain related activity. Physical activities are also reduced. I noticed few changes in my 3 year old kid when I stopped giving him mobile for few weeks and now I am stick to it that I won’t do this mistake again.infact I keep him busy in more brain related activities or some physical game and I must say that it really works.
Another thing is keep an eye what your child is watching. Monitor him\her screen activities. According to the study, more parental monitoring led to less total screen time for kids and reduced exposure to media violence so don’t let them watch the violent stuff.
Set their timing. Let’s say if you set an hour for them to watch TV or mobile or video game then it must be an HOUR not more than that and stick to it.it will benefit them in the long run.
Keep your kids busy with yourself. Spend time with them play with them.do anything that keep them busy so that they will not go to these gadgets. It doesn’t matter if your house is clean or if your dress is clean and white but what matters is your CHILD. They need our time and attention and that surely make them happy