According to experts, kids aged 2-5 years old should only have an hour of screen time per day and two hours for kids aged 6 years and older. The suggested hours of screen time promotes healthy usage with moderation.
The rise of technology and convenience has magically turned screens into instant pacifier especially for young children. But as we all know, screen offers limited sensory activities and face to face interaction that prevents them from experiencing real-world activities.
Today\’s generation is truly different. Tablets becomes parents\’ modern pacifier as it effectively makes a crying child stop and keep them entertained. Some experts combine watching TV and tablet play as screen time. But watching TV is different, as it is considered as much more passive activity.
When asked what is better for kids, Tablets vs. watching television? Well, each has its own pros and cons. Too much of anything is harmful. Kids can easily get addicted to the screen that can linked to attention and behavioral problems. However, screen time can also do good if done with parents\’ supervision to monitor what kind of media they consume.
The answer is still up to us, parents! It all depends on how we can manage what\’s beneficial; making sure that we can effectively avoid all those health and emotional problems associated with device overuse.
Also, setting screen time guidelines that includes the following General Rules can be a big help:
1. Avoid fast-paced programs, apps with lots of distracting and violent content.
2. No screens during meals and 1 hour before bedtime.
3. Try not to use screen media to bribe or calm your child.
4. Monitor the kind of media they consume, including apps. Test apps before your child uses them and play together.
5. Make it interactive by asking your child what they think and what they are learning from the media they consume.
A good example is to \”make it a shared three-dimensional experience. The brain development and language development happens when you talk about what is happening on screen, similar to reading a book to your child. Make it a dialog, discuss important concepts, exchange ideas, and relate what your child is learning to real life.
When parents manages kids\’ screen time, it can surely minimize all the harmful effects.
For sure, kids find playing games on tablets more entertaining and engaging, but as a parent, I personally prefer them to watch TV.
Bigger screens means more distance watching that won\’t easily damage their eyes. Also, they get to play with other toys like Lego blocks while watching their favorite shows and not stuck with just sitting or in one position.
I\’m sure, Sam Haskell, the person named as one of the 25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television over the last quarter century; couldn\’t agree more.😀
There are tons of educational shows on Youtube that I watched with the kids on bigger screen. It is a good teaching tool or a way to connect as it provides a good opportunity to talk and start a discussion of their insights and choices.
Positive TV, improves kids\’ behavior; same as positive use of Tablet. Whatever the choice is, it all sums up to using with moderation and guidelines to maximize its benefits.
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