8 ways to reduce screen time in kids

By      25-May 2023       Reading Time: 7 Mins

8 ways to reduce screen time in kids

 

Increasing globalisation has led to integration and interconnection of technologies. This has brought the world closer on one hand but also has its demerits. It has affected the younger generation especially the kids as they are constantly on their phones  playing video games or watching some cinema. As there is easy access & availability of gadgets, its use needs to be regulated in order to manage the emotional,physical well-being.

 

Following are some ways to reduce screen time among kids:

 

  1. Not to give personal gadgets: Do not give your kids their own tablet or smartphone. This will help in managing the amount of time spent on watching different content on the gadget. 
  2. Keeping gadgets in  shared spaces of house: While children are busy watching their shows or browsing through websites in the hall or in the passage, it becomes easy for the caregivers to monitor what their kids are watching and the amount of time used in watching or scrolling.
  3. Have family time in the schedule : Family time is a must where kids enjoy that specific time which is meant for activities other than using gadgets. These activities can range from sports,music to gardening. Nothing can be more important than spending quality time with family. This builds a value system among the children and at the same time keeps the gadgets away for a considerable amount of time.

4.Role modelling : As it is right said, Like “father,like son”. It’s apt for all the parents reading this column. It’s important first to reduce your own screen time  before expecting the same for your children.Researchers who studied families at fast-food restaurants noticed parents were often more focused on their smartphones than on the children at the table.

  1. Fun-filled alternatives to tech:  In free time for children, one can help them keep involved in fun-filled games, frisbees,artwork etc. These alternatives can be healthy for kids and be enriching at the same time.
  2. Make tech work for you: By using programs and apps that can set to turn off computers, tablets, and smartphones after a given amount of time, you not only  save on energy but also reduce exposure to screen time.

 

  1. Adjust screen-time limits as your child gets older.

 As per WHO in 2019, no sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds and screen exposure of less than 1 hour/day in 2-5 years old was discussed.

The Indian Psychiatry Association in 2020-2021 issued recommendations for media use in children and adolescents up to 18 years of age. These guidelines advised zero screen time in children <2 years. Between 2 to 5 years viewing for specific purposes like educational games or teaching aid for a limited period (not longer than 30 minutes per session, and not more than two sessions per day, under supervision – a shared media use), rather than for entertainment was advocated. Adult interaction with the child during media use was stressed upon.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) released its parental guidelines for screen time in 2021 which cautioned about the harms of excess screen time and also provided guidelines to parents on the permissible screen viewing time, digital hygiene, healthy use and the right age for use of various platforms of social media.

 Guidelines for Children and Families:

  •   Infants and children 0-23 months age • Children below 2 years age should not be exposed to any type of screen. 
  • Children 24-59 months age • Limit screen time to a maximum of 1 hour (per day with each session not more than 20-30 min)
  •  Children 5-10 years age • Limit screen time to less than 2 hours per day.
  •  Adolescents (10-18 years age) • Balance screen time with other activities that are required for overall development. These activities include at least one hour of outdoor physical activity (playtime), 8-9 hours of nighttime sleep, and time for schoolwork, meals, hobbies, peer interaction and family time. 
  1. Educating yourself about technology : We all know necessity is the mother of invention. But nowadays necessity is the mother of prevention of gadget prone addiction. In order to protect your children from excessive time spent on gadgets one should themselves be aware about what these gadgets are,its uses,misuses,merits & demerits.For eg, to know which type of content kids shouldn’t watch the parents should first do their own research on it.

 

By following the above mentioned tips, it will be helpful to manage your childrens’ screen time.

 

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