“Screen time” is a generic term, used for activities done in front of a screen, usually – such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. With the advent of Schooling happening via Online Learning now, most of the Children/Students/Learners are taking up classes via either desktop computer/laptop/mobile or other smart devices as applicable. These devices account for learners’ screen time being spent on respective access devices. A World without smartphones, tablets and the internet is unimaginable.

Screen time is sedentary activity – being physically inactive while sitting down. Also, very little energy is being put into use. Today’s technological advances mean today’s parents are the first generation who have to figure out how to limit screen time for children. While digital devices can provide endless hours of entertainment and can also offer educational content, unlimited screen time is harmful.

Too much screen time has the following hazards:

a) Sleep Issues: Screen Time makes it hard for children to sleep at night. Screen time before bed can backfire. The light emitted from screens interferes with the sleep cycle in the brain and can lead to insomnia, which is very harmful.

b) Behavioral Disorders: Raises child’s risk for attention problems, anxiety, and depression. School-age children who watch TV or use smart devices for approximately more than 2 hours per day are more likely to have emotional, social, and attention problems.

c) Educational Disorders: Early school-age children who have televisions in their bedrooms, and are addicted to smart devices do worse on academic testing.

d) Health Disorders: Raises children risk for gaining too much weight and hence obesity. Too much time engaging in non-physical and stagnant activity, such as watching TV, playing video games, gamification on digital devices can be a risk factor for becoming overweight. Sitting and watching a screen is time that is not spent being physically active is prone to be unhealthy. TV commercials and other screen ads can lead to unhealthy food choices and hence habits. Most of the time, the foods in ads that are aimed at kids are hence food intakes are high in sugar, salt, or fats. Children/Adults eat more when they are watching TV, or on screen time, especially if one sees ads for food.

e) Violence: Exposure to violent TV shows, movies, music, and video games can cause children to become desensitized to it. Children might use violence to solve problems and may imitate what they see on TV.

While Computers can help kids with their schoolwork, surfing the internet, spending too much time on digital devices using Facebook, or watching YouTube videos is considered unhealthy screen time.

Decrease Screen Time:

Talk to Children about things they can do to be healthier. To decrease screen time:

• Remove the TV or digital devices from your child’s bedroom.
• DO NOT allow watching TV, mobiles, laptops during meals or homework.
• DO NOT let your child eat while watching TV or using smart devices.
• DO NOT leave the TV/smart phones on for background noise.
• Decide which programs to watch on your digital devices ahead of time. Turn off the devices when those programs are over.
• Suggest other activities, such as family board games, puzzles, or going for a walk, to divert from screen time obsession.
• Record how much time is spent in front of a screen (TV/smart devices). Try to spend the same amount of time being active, every day, so as to overcome issues.
• As responsible Parents, we need to be a good role model for our Children. Decrease your own screen time to cap to 2 hours a day.
• If it is hard not having the digital devices on, try using a sleep function so it turns off automatically.
• Challenge your family to go 1 week without watching more watching screen-time activities.

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