We live in a society where everyone can be seen with a digital device. This includes children. Digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and TVs provide loads of entertainment. This helps parents keep their child calm and preoccupied. Nowadays, it’s normal to see a child focused on their smartphones or tablets. However, several health risks are linked to excessive screen time. In this article, we will tackle the tips on how to avoid the risks of too much screen time on kids.
These tips will teach you the different fun activities you can do with your child. This is to promote skill development and progress of your child. These tips will also help you keep your kid healthy and more efficient.
Here are the 3 tips every parent should do to avoid the risks of too much screen time on kids.
1. Limit Your Child’s Screen Time
According to experts, parents should limit their children’s screen time. There are several health problems that are linked to the excessive use of digital devices. These include obesity and sleep deprivation. Experts also claimed that too much screen time makes children moody and even show signs of depression.
What to do: Screen time varies depending on the age of your kid. A “no screen time” rule is recommended for kids ages 0 to 2 years old. Kids from 3 to 10 are allowed to have 1 to 2 hours of screen time. This is to prevent your child from spending too much time on the screen display of their device and encourage them to do different activities.
2. Do Fun And Screen-free Activities With Your Child
Entertainment is one of the reasons why most children spend their time in front of the screen. Whether it’s cartoons on the tv or games in their smartphone or tablet, it keeps a child preoccupied. Limiting your child’s screen time means you have to keep them entertained or busy to keep them calm. This is where family activities come to place.
Things to do: There’s a good number of fun and screen-free activities you can do with your child. These include colouring, going to the park, singing, doing crafts, and so much more. Make your child play with other kids, play board games, and do things a normal child does. This does not only keep your child healthy but also help your child develop his skill.
3. Visit Some Of The Best Holiday Festivals In Your Area
Festivals and holidays do not happen too often. It’s a once-a-year event that makes everyone fun and happy. Make the most out of the Easter break by visiting some of the best festival sites in your area is a learning experience for your kid.
What to do: You can tell your kid what’s the festival or holiday is all about and why people celebrate it. It’s also a good time to leave their gadgets at home. You can make the driving experience fun by playing their favourite song on the radio or sing songs as your drive. You can also tell stories, it’s a good way of strengthening the parent-child relationship.
Overview
The delay of speech development in a child is also linked to excessive screen time. Obesity and diabetes are some of the possible health risks your child could get staring too much at their device. Aside from dry and irritated eyes, slouched posture is also linked to excessive screen time.
Protecting your child from inappropriate content online must also be a priority, especially with kids ages 3 to 10. You can use apps that filter websites or a child-friendly browser for your kid. It’s also advisable to accompany your child as he/she uses a device for you to explain things that are new to him/her.
Accompanying them also gives you the chance to know the things your child do as he or she plays with these devices. You can also have the chance to know the shows they’re watching and how it affects them.