Due to the pervasiveness of mobile devices and digital tools, parents are now worried if electronic gadgets are really healthy for children. Even though some parents believed technology is essential to their child's growth and development, others are struggling as their children become subdued in technology.
In an era where today's generation has never known life without the internet, screen time dilemma has become one of the major parenting issues of this time. In fact, there's an ongoing debate on how kids use digital devices such as smartphones and tablets.
How Much Screen Time Is Healthy For Kids?
It is already an undeniable fact that technology is on the rise. However, parents are worried if integrating digital tools and devices into their children's life is indeed beneficial. So, how much screen time is considered healthy for kids?
In 2013, the U.S. Department of Health recommended that children aged two and below should not have any screen time at all. In Australia, on the other hand, the nation's current guidelines said children aged five to 17 should only be allowed with a two-hour screen time daily, ABC Australia notes.
In addition, Taiwanese parents are also legally required to keep an eye on their kids' screen time but in France, the government banned TV programs for children under the age of three. Unfortunately, a research found that most if not all kids have longer screen time than what's suggested.
The Effects Of Internet And Digital Devices On Kids And Families
Despite the struggles for parents to set limits when it comes to their kids' screen time, several educational institutions have encouraged students to bring and use their own devices for educational purposes. In fact, online assignments have become the norm nowadays.
The Australian columnist and mom-of-four Nikki Gemmell, however, said that screen time dilemma is affecting the entire family, noting children become "insular, aggravated and snappy." But without these electronic devices, Gemmell said that a family became a family again, even having normal conversations around the table.
Aside from affecting families, too much screen time and internet usage may also lead to digital addiction and school burnout in teens. According to TechCrunch, University of Helsinki Department of Psychology researchers found that excessive usage of internet and digital devices undermines the children's desire to attend or work hard in school.
What's worse, however, is the fact that school burnout can lead to depressive symptoms among adolescents, Mind the Gap project researcher Katarina Salmela-Aro said. Due to these psychological issues, guidelines should be established to reduce kids' screen time, as detailed by TechAdvisor.
Guidelines For Healthy Digital And Internet Usage For Kids Of All Ages
Speaking of guidelines, Parenting Ideas author and educator Michael Grose recently shared his guidelines for healthy digital and internet use for kids to The Gympie Times. According to Grose, children aged three and below should avoid digital technology and focus more on human interaction.
For children aged three to six, the maximum supervised screen time allowed per day is only one hour. As for children aged six to nine, a maximum of 10 hours weekly are allowed but it should mainly focus on educational use with some games.
For aged 9 to 12, on the other hand, parents should ensure online safety, especially when it comes to content. Parents should also closely monitor that their children should maintain a balance between the real and the internet realms.
What do you think about these screen time guidelines? Share your thoughts below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
