Effects of Excess Screen Time on Children
According to Common Sense Media, 42% of children aged eight years and below own digital
devices and spend an average of about 2.25 hours per day using screen media. It is no secret
that kids make most of their leisure time staring at screens. Therefore, it has become
challenging for caregivers to guide toddlers about their relationship with technology.
Undoubtedly, electronic gadgets have changed the pace of life and have benefitted users in
various ways, but recent studies indicate that overuse of screens may have detrimental effects
on children’s overall well-being.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests following a strict screen time plan for
children between 18 months and older with the restriction of no screens for children below 1.5
years. Because children engaged with screens would likely end up with rampant problems like
stunted physical, psychological, and behavioral development. These problems are also the root
cause of other serious concerns.
The more children are surrounded by screens, the more they model it.
It is alarming to find that how most parents easily handover screens to their kids to keep them
occupied. Sugar satisfies your craving but causes diabetes, similarly screens might sooth your
toddler’s tantrums but conditions their behaviors.
they rely on social media for every small-huge tasks. They become procrastinators, lethargic
Lack of mannerism
Since parents don’t monitor what their kids are watching, children pays closer attention to
inappropriate content as well.
Watching unfiltered content adopting to whatever you watch on screens
This might cause poor vocabulary acquisition, use of slangs, or informal language.
Moreover, a child watching violent content may show aggression and tantrums.
Poor academic performance
It gets difficult to stand out in academics when children get easily distracted because of screens.
There span of attention is reduced and their focus instantly shifts whenever a notification pops
up on the screen. Even when kids have a conversation with their friends at school, they usually
discuss different games and viral trends. Studies seem too boring and they tend to receive low
scores in core subjects such as English or Math. It’s no secret that he overall academic
performance of a student declines once children lacks interest in a particular subject.
Impact on cognitive development
Studies indicate that children who are indulged in screens for more than 7 hours experiences
thinning of the brain cortex. The cortex is an important unit of the brain responsible for critical
thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. Thinning of the cortex may cause dysfunction in day-
to-day tasks. Poor working memory tend to have trouble planning, organizing, and carrying out
daily chores. The kid becomes a procrastinator and is unable to switch between different tasks.
Deterioration of physical and psychological health
Limitless screen time for kids raises serious health concerns excessive screen time strains both
the mind and the body. Watching screens is a sedentary activity which in turn causes obesity,
fatigue, lethargy, sleep problems, chronic heart disease, neck & back ache. On the other hand,
excess screen time increases chances of mental disorders. Common psychological problems
highlighted in kids are anxiety, disturbed eating patterns, stress, insomnia, and etc. physically or
psychologically unfit children’s may feel hindrance in many areas of life.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, excess screen time for kids adversely effects their overall well-being and their
lifestyle. Excess screen time roots many problems in childhood which includes behavioral
issues, poor academic performance, dull-witted cognitive development, deterioration of
physical and psychological health. Therefore it’s important to have a check and balance screen
time for kids to help boost their growth.
Citations
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