Screen time (TV, Mobile, Laptop etc.) in children

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Research shows staring at a screen for long stretches can cause various health problems in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use for kids less than 5 years. Children spend more time than ever staring at digital screens – on computers, tablets, TVs, smartphones, and other devices; all that screen time can take a toll on children’s wellbeing

According to the World health Organization (WHO), for children ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour a day of high-quality programming.

Too much screen time may lead to symptoms such as:

  • Eye problems like Myopia (nearsightedness), Eye straining, eye dryness, Amblyopia, Eye Fatigue, Blurry Vision, Squint etc.
  • Childhood Obesity, Weight problems.
  • Irregular sleep schedules, shorter duration of sleep, many sleep related problems
  • Headache
  • Behavioral problems, Mood problems
  • Loss of social skills
  • Violence
  • Less time for play, outdoor or physical activity
  • Less time with family and friends
  • Fear of missing out
  • Difficulty to relax and have fun

What we can do?

  • First of all avoid screen totally if possible.
  • If not, then set reasonable limits for your child’s screen time, especially if your child’s use of screens is hindering involvement in other activities.
  • Prioritize unplugged, unstructured playtime.
  • Create tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtime or one night a week.
  • Discourage use of media entertainment during homework.
  • Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews, such as no exposure to devices or screens one hour before bedtime.
  • Consider using apps that control the length of time a child can use a device.
  • Require your children to charge their devices outside of their bedrooms at night.
  • Keep screens out of your child’s bedroom.
  • Limit your own screen time.
  • Eliminate background TV.
  • 20-20-20 rule, when using a computer or other screen device. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on something at least 20 feet away.
  • A timer can help your child remember. Or install a software program that turns the screen off automatically at set times.
  • Make sure the screen is positioned so that your child looks slightly down at it, not up. And adjust lighting to eliminate glare on the screen.
  • More time playing outside may result in healthier vision development in children
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding exposure to screens for 1 hour before going to bed.
  • Encourage your child to try to blink extra, especially when they take breaks.
  • Some experts suggest positioning device screens based on the 1/2/10 rule: mobile phones ideally at one foot, desktop devices and laptops at two feet, and roughly 10 feet for TV screens (depending on how big the screen is).
  • Adjusting the font size—especially on smaller screens—so it’s twice as big as your child can comfortably read may also help reduce eye fatigue.
  • Decrease the brightness of the screen to a more comfortable level for viewing.
  • Some optometrists recommend special computer glasses with orange lenses that may also help reduce glare.

For more information regarding eye care –

1) https://amrutaayurved.in/netra-tarpan-ayurvedic-eye-rejuvenation/

2) https://amrutaayurved.in/%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%a4%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%b0%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%aa%e0%a4%a3-%e0%a4%a1%e0%a5%8b%e0%a4%b3%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%af%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%82%e0%a4%b8%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%a0%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%9a/

3) https://amrutaayurved.in/ayurvedic-kaval-swish-and-gandush-fill-hold-oil-pulling/