Should young children be banned entirely from tablets, smartphones, or watching television? Or should we propose limits? At the MIP Junior television content and program fair for children held in Cannes, the topic of discussion was precisely that. Carole Bienaime-Besse, responsible for regulating television content in France, asserted that children’s exposure to digital devices has become a “public health issue.”
She also commented that people have begun to realize that screens can cause addiction even in young children and, in extreme cases, problems similar to autism, called viral autism.
Regarding France, their experts advise parents to completely prohibit children under three from watching screen content. Even in 2008, they banned their television channels from targeting children under three with their programs, said Bienaime-Besse. In addition, authorities also banned the popular BabyTV channel.
This article will explore some of the issues this can have for our kids.
What should be the limits on screen time?
The conclusion of British experts gathered at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is that there is not enough evidence to confirm that screen time harms children’s health at any age. Therefore it is impossible to give recommendations on time limits according to age. This is the first set of recommendations published in the UK, based on an analysis of existing research and consultation with 109 children and young people aged 11 to 24 from various parts of the United Kingdom.
The experts stated that technology is an integral part of the lives of children and young people, used for communication, entertainment, and increasingly in education. No consistent evidence was found by the analysis to suggest that specific benefits for health or well-being are provided by screen time, despite limited studies in this area. Although there is a negative correlation between screen time and poor mental health, sleep, and physical fitness, the experts could not determine whether these links are causal or whether other factors contribute to adverse health outcomes and increased screen time. Therefore, more high-quality research, especially on digital media such as social media, is needed to understand this topic better.
In light of this, the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health does not provide specific advice on how much time children should spend on screens. Instead, they recommend that parents negotiate screen time with their children, taking into account their needs, how they use devices, and the extent to which screen use affects physical and social activities and their sleep.
Four Questions Before You Set Limits on Screen Time
The recommendations include four questions that parents should ask themselves. Then, if they are satisfied with the answers, they can feel at ease; if not, they should make some changes.
IS SCREEN TIME IN OUR FAMILY UNDER CONTROL?
For babies and young children, responsible adults decide on the amount of screen time and the content that the child watches. However, parents may need support if they do not respect these limits and feel that screen use is out of control.
With older children and teenagers, there will be a shift towards autonomy and self-control, but this will need to be gradual and under the guidance of an adult.
Adults in the family should also consider their screen use, and we should all ask ourselves, especially when it comes to smartphones: are we using them for what we want, or are we unconsciously using them all the time?
DO SCREENS HARM WHAT YOUR FAMILY WANTS TO DO?
This will vary from family to family, but many of us want to spend more time together, and there is strong evidence that this is beneficial for the well-being of all family members.
Many families make mealtime a “screen-free zone.” This can be an excellent way to ensure interaction, especially with older, more independent young people. Still, each family needs to find a way to maximize interaction and enjoyment.
For young children, face-to-face interaction is crucial for developing language and other skills; interaction through screens cannot replace it.
DOES SCREEN USE INTERFERE WITH SLEEP?
Even a minor lack of sleep can negatively affect mental and physical health, educational success, and family relationships.
Therefore, it is essential that screens do not interfere with bedtime routines, both in children and adults, and experts recommend avoiding screens for an hour before the planned bedtime.
CAN YOUR KID CONTROL EATING SNACKS DURING SCREEN TIME?
It is easy to lose track of how much we eat while watching a screen. Adults should monitor the food intake of children at risk of obesity during screen time.
The negative impact of screen time on children’s nutrition, which can lead to overweight or obesity, is something for which there is evidence. For example, screen time can make children feel less full and expose them to advertisements that increase their intake of unhealthy foods.
Limits on Screen Time In Conclusion
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) insists parents should not introduce screens into their children’s lives too early. Parents or caregivers should discourage digital screen use before 18 months, except for video chatting (such as Skype or FaceTime). Children under two years of age must explore their environment and social interaction with trusted adults to develop their cognitive, linguistic, motor, and socioemotional skills.
Experts recommend a maximum of 1 hour of screen time per day for kids between two and five years old. In addition, the content should be educational, always in the presence of an adult who can help the child understand what they are watching. Parents and children should prohibit screens during meals and one hour before bedtime. Understanding that recommendations for using children’s technology relate to best practices is essential. Still, it is difficult for all families and caregivers to constantly follow them. So instead, we advocate for awareness of ideal media use conditions, balancing media exposure, and a more realistic understanding of what different forms of media can do for children.
On a related topic, check out our article on gaming trends and children!
Posted on 4th May 2023 by igorthegreat
