Mobile phones and television are part of our lives and will invariably be part of your child’s. It’s a fact. And we are past the stage of debating whether this technology is good or bad. Today it is recognized that everything will depend on how it is used. But what is the healthy limit to allow the child to watch videos and drawings on TV, tablet or mobile phone, without harming their development?
Studies suggest what we already knew: that too much exposure to these gadgets (including video games) is not good for you. It is still difficult to measure. From time to time, health agencies adjust recommendations based on emerging studies.
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children up to 2 years of age should not see any screens. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, which tend to guide pediatricians more directly, say it’s best not to give children younger than 18 months any sort of screening. Sure, we’re talking about recreational use here and not that video call to grandparents and uncles. And they suggest that, from 1.5 to 5 years old, the use of these gadgets be limited to a maximum of one hour a day, with breaks every 20 minutes. Above 6 years, the ideal would be no more than two hours a day.
When to use screens
Always try to resort to screens as a last resort. Instead, offer paper and pencils, a book, and games like hide and find if he can already walk. Really save it for those tense moments: dinner at a restaurant, the time to prepare lunch, the 5 minutes to answer an urgent work email, the car ride…
And don’t blame yourself for having to address screens: every parent has already been saved by this artifice. The important thing is to use TVs and cell phones sparingly and to focus attention on the content that the baby or child is watching. It should be age-appropriate and ideally elicit interactivity.
Why are cell phones and TV dangerous for the child?
There are a few reasons why experts restrict screen access:
- Obesity: We are experiencing a childhood obesity epidemic around the world and children need to expend energy.
- View: Excessive use may predispose to myopia.
- Sleepless nights: the use of screens at night compromises the quality of sleep, as it decreases the production of melatonin, the hormone linked to it. The interesting thing is to avoid smartphones, tablets and TVs at least one hour before putting the baby to sleep.
- Intelligence: a Canadian study has shown that children most exposed to screens have a greater learning deficit at school.
- Communication: up to the age of 2, the child’s brain works a thousand times, making up to 700 brain connections per second to develop his physical and cognitive abilities. For this to happen in the best way, especially in non-verbal communication, the child needs contact, bonding and interaction with another person. Research already shows that the longer the screen time, the greater the likelihood of delay in speaking.
And more
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Source: Terra
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.
