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The world we are living in is driven and shaped by technology. Although it comes with numerous benefits, tech can make parenting much more difficult. You have to be vigilant about the material that your children come across on the internet and television. You also need to limit the hours that your young ones spend glued to any screens.
Knowing exactly how to go about shielding their children from the detrimental effects of technology is an uphill task for many parents. Well, here are a few tips to guide you on this journey.
Why Should You Limit Screen Time for Your Children?
Numerous health organizations discourage parents from letting their children spend too much on screens. This is because too much exposure to screens may affect the development of the little ones. Instead of playing and exploring the world around them, they remain glued to phones, computers, tablets, and televisions.
Kids who spend a lot of time on screens are highly likely to become obese. This can be easily explained by the fact that playing video games or watching cartoons non-stop involves very little physical activity, making the pounds pile on. They are also likely to develop behavioral problems and poor sleeping patterns.
Moreover, they may be prone to violent behavior, especially if they watch violent films or play violent games.
What is the Recommended Screen Time for Children?
The World Health Organization recommends that children below the age of two have no dedicated screen time. They should, instead, be encouraged to play and interact with the people around them. For instance, you can have them help you with various tasks like Cabinet Painting. They may, however, make video calls to family members who they cannot meet physically.
For kids between the age of two and five, the World Health Organization recommends no more than an hour of using screens. They further encourage parents to be present with their kids when they are using tech devices. Additionally, they emphasize that children should be encouraged to watch quality programs that enhance learning and development.
Tips for Setting Screen Time Guidelines
Before you allow kids to watch a program or play video games, first take the time to review those programs thoroughly. Some games and programs may be labeled educational, yet they are anything but that. Also, weed out fast-paced programs that your child may find challenging to follow or that could make your child hyperactive.
Make good use of parental control tools available on the internet. These tools filter the content that reaches your child and limit the time they spend on different apps.
You also need to impart critical thinking skills to your child, especially regarding the things they encounter on the internet. Teach them to question the reality and practicality of the content they consume. Also, agree on what the child should do if they encounter age-inappropriate content on the internet.
Conclusion
When it comes to screen time for kids, parents need to be particularly careful. Children are incredibly impressionable and require a lot of parental guidance as they tread the murky waters of the internet. They also need to be encouraged to spend a lot of time outdoors, playing, and discovering the world. Follow the tips shared in this blog post for some guidance on how to set screen time limits for your child.
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