Children and teenagers spend 9.5 hours each day in front of a screen, while toddlers and little children spend 2.5 hours. Even adults can get hunched over a screen. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, excessive screen time has many adverse effects on both children and adults. But for young children, the effects are more serious. For example, children who spend too much time watching violent media may imitate these images.
Side Effects
- Poor Posture
Excessive screen time can cause poor posture, leading to back pain and neck problems. It is therefore essential to limit the time spent on screens. Taking breaks from screen time is very important. While watching TV or playing games, you should also keep the screen at eye level. Overexposed children and teens can also suffer from depression and suicidal behaviour. They may also have lower self-esteem and lower ability to recognize their feelings.
So, maintaining proper posture is very important for getting proper sleep. And if two or more people are sleeping on the same bed, then a California king or a king-size bed is the ideal bed size. The California King vs King Size Bed Dimensions is 72” wide, 84” long, and 76” wide, 80” long.
- Brain Damage
Screen time is known to affect the health of both the child and the adults. It can damage the brain, causing it to become overstimulated and weak. It also deforms the white matter network, which is essential for transmitting signals in the brain. The effects of too much screen time include impaired attention and concentration, impaired memory, and even decreased impulse control. Children’s brains are still developing, which may negatively affect the development of their social skills.
- Back And Neck Pain
Children who spend too much time on screens have poor posture, leading to chronic back and neck pain. It is also recommended to take a break from screen use before sleep and keep the device at eye level. The longer the screen is used, the lower the self-esteem and the higher the risk of obesity. The adverse effects of too much screen time can also affect self-esteem and social isolation.
- Obesity
Excessive screen time can lead to obesity. It can cause joint and heart problems and affects the body. In many countries, children are obese, and too much screen use contributes to this. In addition, too much screen time can make children depressed and even suicidal. They can be unable to read emotions or other signs of stress. Several studies show that screen time has adverse effects on kids, as well as on adults.
- Depression
One study found that children exposed to screen time had less sleep than those who did not. This could be a sign of depression or other psychological problems. Further, the increased screen time use can cause the child to feel more lonely. If they do not experience any social interaction with other people, the screen time is harmful to their self-esteem. A study was done on children in 2017 also revealed that excessive screen time can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour. It can also decrease the ability to read emotions.
- Academic Performance
There are several reasons why excessive screen time is harmful. It can affect children’s behaviour and academic performance. It can lead to obesity. It can also lead to desensitization. A child who spends more time with a screen can become more easily upset than a child who does not. The more time a child has, the more likely they will develop the disorder.
- Low IQ
The effects of too much screen time are numerous and can include behavioural problems in children. They may be depressed or moody. This can affect their ability to read emotions. It can lead to a lower IQ and can cause poor concentration. Further, too much screen time can have detrimental effects on their education and health. There is a link between too much screen time and mental disorders, and some of these conditions can be prevented. Also, effective sleep can help in increasing the IQ of your child.
And sleeping in proper size beds and comfortable mattress is a must for the allround development of your child. For your growing child, you can make them sleep on twin or twin xl size mattresses.
Behaviour
Moreover, it can harm the child’s attention and behaviour. Overexposure to screen time can result in a child becoming overweight or not sleeping well at all. A recent survey by Pew Research showed that children who spend a lot of time in front of a screen could be more irritable than children. Overexposure to violent media has also been linked to reduced self-esteem, leading to more screen time.
How To Avoid Too Much Screen Time
- Limit Your Child’s Screen Time
One of the first steps to limit your child’s screen time is to set a limit. This may seem simple, but it’s a significant amount of time. In addition, it’s vital to limit the amount of screen time your child spends in front of the television as well as at mealtime. While many parents can implement some of these strategies, it’s essential to set limits for their children.
Limit your child’s screen time to two hours a day, and stick to those limits. Putting a TV in a child’s bedroom can be especially harmful. Research has shown that children with TVs in their bedrooms watch 1.5 hours more than other children. In addition to reducing screen time, it keeps kids in their rooms instead of with friends and family. If you’re worried about how much screen time your child is spending, monitor the time spent on each activity.
- Monitor The Screen Time
As a parent, it is crucial to monitor your child’s amount of screen time in front of the television. Many people underestimate the amount of time they spend in front of a computer, resulting in poor eyesight. Furthermore, more screen time may make teens feel more isolated and lonely. While it’s beautiful to let your children watch the TV, it’s crucial to limit the amount of time they spend in front of their screens.
Summary
It’s important to limit screen time for children. While the benefits of a computer for schoolwork are apparent, it’s not always healthy. While watching TV and video games can be educational, excessive screen time can cause sleep and general health problems. While computers do have a place in the home, it’s essential to keep your child’s screen time under control. This means keeping the computer away from your children during meals.
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