Screen time. It is a fact of life today and we cannot escape screens no matter where we go. There have been many studies about the proliferation of screens in our lives and the effects it has on young children. Doctors and experts in western countries had set and revised these guidelines time and again. While the guidelines vary, everyone agrees that young children should have very little or no exposure to screens.
Notwithstanding what makers of such devices say about how interaction with screens makes brighter, better children, paediatricians recommend that free play and human interaction is best for developing minds and bodies.
It is also true however that screens are here to stay. So how does a parent ensure that their child is not unduly exposed to it? Every family has to set their own guidelines and rules, but here are some tips to start with -
Start young. – Resist the temptation to hand over the cell phone, or a tablet or switch on the TV to keep a child engaged when young because while this may be easy in the short run, it will be harder to break the habit as time goes by. Research suggests that taking control after age six is much harder.
Set rules for the family - Different sets of rules for different people in the same family will make it tougher to enforce them and also make people resentful and rebellious. Also if you as adults give up screen time it automatically prevents exposure to young kids.
Never keep TV in the bed room. - TVs in every room might be quite the rage but it is a good idea not to have one in your child’s room. It is a huge temptation and will be harder to keep track of.
Do not use technology as a pacifier. - If a child is angry upset or crying, it is easy to resort to technology. But revisit the ides and do not use tech as an emotional pacifier. Children need to be taught to handle emotions in a socially acceptable and not harmful way to themselves. Not to take refuge in the screen.
Play with kids – The family that plays together, stays together. Children crave stimulation and if you as parents can engage with them regularly, you can provide just the right kind of stimulation and excitement. Play a board game, build with , read a book or play house with them; they are all great ways to build strong bods and make beautiful memories that require no screens.
Do not use screens while eating. – Fussy eaters are often treated to a screen while they are fed with the help of the images on the screen. What may look like an easy life hack may cause more trouble than was wort later on. Food is meant to be enjoyed and tasted so that as adults we know what we are eating and when we are satiated. It is proven that those who eat while distracted by a screen often end up under nourished or obese. So switch off those screens and have your child focus on the food.
Healthy media diet - An interesting diet is an optimum mix of foods that keeps us healthy but it should be appetizing as well. Too much of one thing will make it lopsided and uninteresting. Similarly, banning all screens may not be the best idea as they are a part of life today. A judicious mix will ensure that you have control over their media habits till they are old enough to make the choices guided by what you have taught them.
From CCTV to monitor care givers for your little ones to cell phones for quick communication, screens are part and parcel of our lives today. It is up to each one to take control of them or let them take control of our lives. Making the right choices is a big part of parenting especially as there are no absolutely right or wrong ones.
Happy parenting!