Experts' warning about screen time as it can cause children ‘damage’

29 August 2023 , 11:47

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It's important to monitor children's screen usage (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Sometimes when times are tough, it's easiest to plop your child in front of a screen to keep them entertained. While there is often debate over whether parents should be doing this or not, experts in Japan have revealed exactly how much screen time is too much for little ones. The research was conducted by Tohoku University in Japan, which looked at the effects of screen time on one to four-year-olds, with 7,097 children participating in the study.

It turns out that children around the age of one are more likely to experience negative effects from excessive screen usage, which the study defined as four hours per day. The research states that kids at this age are more prone to developmental problems as they grow older. "Greater screen time at age one year was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages two and four years," Study author Dr Taku Obara explained.

However, parents shouldn't worry too much just yet. This is because researchers also found that as these children reached the age of four, they were able to catch up to their peers in terms of social, personal, and communication skills. Advice from the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that children should have TV-free days, or have a two-hour limit on the time spent in front of screens.

Unfortunately, research undertaken at the University of Derby found that the NHS recommended time limit of two hours a day is being exceeded by 44% of parents in the UK. Additionally, 46% of parents felt that they allowed their children too much screen time but were unsure how to manage it better. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) website emphasises the Chief Medical Officer of the UK's advice, which urges parents to take a "precautionary approach" while also balancing it with the potential benefits of using screen devices.

With this in mind, there are strategies to make screen time for your kids enjoyable without compromising their development. Instead of simply placing them in front of a device and walking away, engaging with them while they use it helps to build relationships and keeps track of their usage. A variety of educational apps and TV shows can also aid in fostering a child's self-assurance, creativity, language skills, focus and concentration.

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