The digital child: the dangers of excessive exposure to the screens

Daniel Faria, publisher of Editata Mundo Cristão, reflects in an article on the problem of screens for children

Which mother or father has never offered the child to the child to have time to carry out an urgent activity? This is a situation that has become routine in agitated times such as current ones. After all, the technology is extremely accessible, at hand.

However, the negative impacts of exaggerated screens (television, video games, smartphones, tablets, etc.) should be lost, however during the child’s growth phase. Since the low level of concentration, the lack of empathy and emotional instability are just some examples of these effects harmful to the development of children’s sociability.

What to do?

The great doubts that many parents have are: how to reconcile the use of digital devices with a healthy routine? To what extent do technological resources influence the child’s sociability? What is the ideal measure of time that children can spend in front of the screens?

The answers to some of these questions are in The digital child: teach your child to find balance in the virtual world (Christian world). Written by the anthropologist and expert in Gary Chapman reports (author of the bestseller The 5 Languages ​​of Love) and writer Arlene Pellicane.

Aware of the difficulties of family life in the 21st century, the authors suggest practices to prevent technology from interrupting the development of basic relational skills such as affection, gratitude, anger control, forgiveness and attention.

Simple decisions, such as leaving the phone in another room during dinner, stipulate fixed times for the use of the video game and establish a “holiday” in which the whole family can stay away from the screens, they are sufficient to start a change positive in the life of the child.

It is possible to evaluate whether the screens have become harmful

The book also contains a useful test to help parents evaluate whether time is damaging the health of their children or not. Just fill in the following ten questions with numbers 0 (never or rarely), 1 (from time to time), 2 (usually) or 3 (always), then add them:

() Your child is annoying when you ask him to leave the front of the screen for dinner or carry out another activity.

() Your child asks you to buy a digital device, like a tablet, even after saying no.

() Your child has difficulty finishing homework because he is busy watching television or playing video games.

() Your child refuses to help with housework because he prefers to play with electronic devices.

() Your child insists on playing video games or playing with another activity in front of the screens even after having denied it.

() Your child does not practice physical activities for at least an hour a day.

() Your child does not make frequent visual contacts with other families.

() Your child prefers to play video games to play outdoors with friends.

() Your child likes nothing who does not include electronic devices.

() When you forbid the use of electronic devices for a day, your child gets angry and aroused.

Results

If the score reached is less than 10, it means that the child does not seem to spend much time on the screens and is able to act within healthy limits. With a score from 11 to 20, the child can be very dependent on the screens and you will have to monitor this time more carefully. Now, if the score exceeds 21 points, it could be time to resort to a professional guide and help.

Technology is a good that must be well used. In the virtual world, everything works based on immediate prizes. In real life, however, we must exercise patience, know how to dialogue and give up instantaneous pleasures for what is more lasting. The digital child is an indispensable book for parents who want to help their children face the immense challenges of social relationships from an early age.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.