HARMFUL EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME ON CHILDREN.

Technology and screen time have become pervasive in modern society, with many children spending significant amounts of time in front of screens such as televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones. While technology has many advantages, excessive screen time can be harmful to children's physical and mental health, especially those under the age of 12. Multiple studies have shown that about 90% of the brain develops in-between age of 2-8 years and this lays the foundation of development. Children learn best when parents take turns when talking and playing, and build on their child’s skills and interests rather than depending them on modern day gadgets.

Physical Consequences:

Excessive screen time can contribute to physical health issues such as obesity, poor posture, and eye strain. Children who spend more than two hours a day in front of screens have a higher risk of obesity, according to studies, because they are more sedentary and consume more unhealthy snacks while watching TV or playing video games.

Prolonged screen time can also have an effect on children's posture, causing hunchback, neck and back pain, and even scoliosis. Furthermore, excessive screen time can cause eye strain, which can result in dry eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing this can cause long term effect and possibly forever.

Effects on Mental Health:

Excessive screen time can also be detrimental to children's mental health. Children who spend more than two hours per day in front of a screen are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. According studies, children who spent more than seven hours a day on screens were more likely to develop depression and anxiety symptoms. Another study discovered that children who used screens before bedtime had more difficulty falling and staying asleep, which can have long-term consequences for their health and well-being.

Moreover, screen time can reduce the amount of time children spend participating in physical activities or social interactions, both of which are important for their development. Children may struggle to interpret nonverbal cues or express their emotions as a result of screen time, which can interfere with the development of social skills such as communication and empathy.

Recommendation for parents:

While technology is an important part of modern life, parents must monitor and limit their children's screen time in order to mitigate the negative effects. The American Academy of pediatrics suggests the following recommendations:

• Avoid screen time for children under the age of 18 months, except for video chatting with family and friends.

• Introduce high-quality media to children aged 18 to 24 months and watch it with them, while limiting screen time to less than one hour per day.

• Limit screen time for children aged 2 to 5 years to one hour per day of high-quality programming, and watch it with them.

• For children aged 6 years and older, establish consistent limits on the amount and type of media they can consume, and ensure that screen time does not interfere with sleep or physical activity.

Parents can also encourage their children to participate in physical and social activities such as playing outside, reading books, or participating in sports or hobbies. It is critical to strike a balance between screen time and other activities in order to promote a healthy lifestyle and ensure the overall well-being of children.

Conclusion:

In concluding, excessive screen time can harm children's physical and mental health, especially those under the age of 12. To promote their children's overall well-being, parents must monitor and limit their children's screen time while also encouraging them to engage in physical activities and social interactions.