How much screen time is healthy for your child? : Medical concern

How much screen time is healthy for your child? : Medical concern

Many parents think that technology and gadgets are essential for their child's development, it is true in some sense but most important question arises that how much time should a child spend in front of a screen. Now this question has become a matter of concern by many parents.

A survey conducted by Vertbaudet.co.uk found that four in five parents believe technology and gadgets are good for kids, aiding in their development. The study found that 37 percent of parents asked said that their child spent between one and two hours a day playing with tech gadgets, and 28 percent said between two and three hours. Moreover, the study found that 38 percent of two to fiveyearolds own an Android tablet, and 32 percent own an iPad; almost a third (32 percent) of these kids also have a mobile phone.

The reason behind all this gadget use: over a third of parents (35 percent) said they use tech gadgets to entertain their children because they are convenient, and nearly a quarter (23 percent) because they want their children to be techsavvy.

We must also weigh up the risks associated with children having too much screen time. Whether it’s Facebook, internet or computer games, screen time is no longer merely a cultural issue about how children spend their leisure time, nor is it confined to concern over the educational value or inappropriate content – it has become a medical issue. TV has been an easy "babysitter" for years now but computer, tablet and mobile screens create more worry.

How much time is healthy for a child before Screen

How much screen time is healthy for a 7 year old, 10 year old, even 1, 2 or 3 year old? How much TV should a child watch? How many hours in front of a computer?

There is a lack of clarity of advice, but many governmental advices are available on the maximum amount of time a child should spend in front of a screen.

In 2013 the US Department of Health recommended that children less than two years of age should not be in front of a screen at all, and over that age the maximum leisure screen time should be no more than two hours a day.
The French government has even banned digital terrestrial TV aimed at all children under three, while Australia and Canada have similar recommendations and guidelines.
In Taiwan parents are legally obligated to monitor the screen time of their children under 18.
Unfortunately India has no such rules and governmental agencies are less concern in this matter.

Experts advice that brains are being stimulated before bedtime in the way that books don’t do. Electronic devices just before bedtime is not a good idea and these devices should be switched off at least an hour before bedtime.

So how much time you have decided for your child before Screen?

As less as possible. Children under two should not spend any time before Screen. Babies and toddlers are kept away from all screens. Children aged 25 years should have no more than an hour a day, and children aged 518 years should have no more than two hours a day. Real danger is noneducational, leisure screen time.

What you can Do?

Minimum screen time for children under three.

Don’t allow TVs, computers or any screen based device into a child’s bedroom.

Put away your own digital devices when communicating with your children.

Don’t just switch off the mobile, Tablet or computer discusses the health benefits of reduced screen time with your child.

Alternatives to screen time