This article explores the growing trend of screen time among children and its potential negative consequences on their development, highlighting the importance of limiting screen exposure and encouraging outdoor play.
There was a time of endless outdoor adventures and playing with friends from sunrise to sunset. However, times have changed. Today, the simple joy of outdoor play has been replaced by a growing concern for safety, leaving many parents hesitant to let their children run around freely. While some parents work through the December holidays, others, even when on leave, often feel too drained to engage actively with their kids.
This has led to a reliance on screens, from televisions to tablets, as a quick and convenient way to occupy children. Increasingly, even toddlers are seen glued to devices, which often serve as pacifiers, babysitters, or a way to avoid tantrums. Although educational apps exist, most children are more drawn to their favorite shows or games, many of which lack educational value. Because parents are constantly busy, children are left to play on these devices for more time than they should. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children between the ages of two and five should be limited to about one hour per weekday and three hours on weekends. If little ones are left alone with these devices, parents are not always aware of what the children are actually viewing. This could include sexual content, negative stereotypes, cyberbullies and predators, and misleading or inaccurate information. Experts recommend limiting screen time during specific periods, including mealtimes, when they are outdoors, before bed, and in their bedrooms. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine, excessive screen usage can also lead to problems in social-emotional development, including obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. Excessive screen time can hinder their ability to develop their language skills as well. Kids acquire these skills through interacting with adults, but with the increased screen time and parents spending less time with their little ones, this means that they have less opportunity to develop their language abilities
SCREEN TIME CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT OUTDOOR PLAY SAFETY
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