Screen time is one of the hot-button topics among parents today. Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) established recommendations for how much time young children should spend in front of screens.
According to the tough new recommendations, children under the age of two should not be exposed to any screen time, and children aged three to four should only be exposed to 60 minutes each day. Screen-time limits will still allow time for family activities like watching TV or playing an educational game. The goal is to increase physical exercise, reduce inactive time, and ensure that children get enough sleep.
Mothers currently spend more time caring for their children than mothers did in the 1980s, due to a substantial increase in the share of women in the labor. However, parent-child interaction is becoming increasingly low-quality. Parents are constantly present in their children’s lives physically, but they are less emotionally attuned.
Despite all the concern over children's screen time, surprisingly little attention is devoted to screen use by parents. The new parenting method has the potential to disrupt an ancient emotional cueing system whose hallmark is responsive communication, which is the foundation of most human learning.
A research published by Pew Research Centre has found that 66% of parents in the United States believe parenting is more difficult today than it was 20 years ago, with many identifying technology — such as social media or cellphones — as the primary cause.
Pew Research Centre also pointed out that the issue of screen time isn't limited to children alone. Parents are also guilty of their own device distractions. When asked if they spend too much, too little or not enough time on their phone, more than half of parents overall (56 per cent) replied that they spend too much time on their smartphone, while about seven in 10 (68 per cent) said they get distracted sometimes by their phone when spending time with the children.
The best way to get a child interested in doing something, whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a card game or shooting baskets, is to do it with them, says Katie Hurley, a psychotherapist in Los Angeles and the author of “The Happy Kid Handbook.” Teach them to play your favorite card game, bake with them or find another activity you can share. “They may say no at first, but keep trying,” comments Katie.
Parents screen use choices can have a positive influence on your child’s attitude to screens. Before we start blaming the younger ones, honestly asses our own usage. You can have this kind of influence simply by making regular, screen-free time for your own activities and family activities, like walking, reading, eating and just talking. Here are some suggestions-
- Help children fill their time with a hobby they enjoy. It could be a creative hobby like dancing, singing, learning an instrument of their choice or learning a new skill of embroidery, cooking, art etc. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an organised activity and can be one at home or their friend’s home so they can look forward to it.
- Encourage board games, puzzles, and specific research projects based on a child’s interest for older children.
- Make daily outdoor time part of your routine. Simple games with a ball, riding a bicycle, climbing rocks, planning a picnic will make outdoors a fun family time.
- You can set up a playdate with your child’s best friend or introduce them to a new park or new sport. Or if the child is old enough, this can be their independent time with friends. Knowing that they get to choose how to use their time outdoors can boost their confidence, enhance social skills and help them take responsibility.
- Help your child pick books that are of interest to him/her. Make daily time for reading. This will encourage your child to become a life-long reader. Reading together is a positive bonding activity that helps in building language, imagination and increasing understanding of various concepts and emotions.
- Have art materials like crayons, paints, glue, different kinds of papers available. Do not ask them to make a finished product of your choice instead encourage them to explore and create whatever they wish to.
